MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Aug. 12, 2009) - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's track and field head coach Pete Corfeld has announced the signing of six incoming freshmen to National Letters of Intent.

John Simons of Hartland, Wis., Jake Reilly of Waunakee, Wis., Quentin Badger of Madison, Wis., Robert Glotfelty of La Crosse, Wis., Jeff Reichling of Darlington, Wis., and Ryan Weir of Ripon, Wis., have signed NLIs to attend UWM and compete with the Panther men in 2010.

Simons was a state qualifier in both track and cross country for Arrowhead high school. As a senior, he placed 20th at the state cross country meet and ran with the state runner-up 4x800m relay at the track meet. He also competed in the 1600m, taking fifth, and the 3200m, taking sixth.

"John's times at the state track championships are the best we've had for an incoming freshman," Corfeld said. "He ran 4:15 in the mile, 9:13 in the two mile and had a 1:57 split as the lead leg for the state runner-up. He contributed to Arrowhead winning the state division 1 championship and should help our cross country squad move up from their third place finish at the league championship."

Reilly is a distance runner, joining the Panthers from Waunakee High School. His senior season, he competed at the state meet in the 800m, posting a personal best time of 1:56.02. As a junior, he took fourth at sectionals in the 1600m, running a time of 4:20.93.

"I believe Jake will be counting in the top five for us by the second half of the cross country season," Corfeld said. "He qualified for the state meet in the 800m and he ran 4:20 mile at sectionals as a junior, but didn't make it to state meet because it was such a tough sectional. His mile time is the second-best for an incoming recruit we've ever had."

Badger comes to Milwaukee after a decorated prep career at Madison Memorial High School. He qualified for the state meet all four years over the 100m, 200m, 800m, 4x100m and 4x200m events. As a senior, he won a sectional and regional title in the 200m, sectional title in the 100m and was sixth at the state meet in both the 100m and 200m events.

"Quentin's ability to run all of the sprints will be an asset to our program," Corfeld said. "He will add some youth and more talent to our already deep and talented sprint group."

Glotfelty ran at both the state track and cross country meets for Logan High School. In cross country, he took 26th his senior season after a 27th-place finish as a junior. His sophomore track season, he ran with the state runner-up 4x800m relay and qualified for state with the relay his junior and senior seasons.

"Bobby placed in top 30 at the state cross country meet and ran the lead-off leg of 4x800m at state track meet," Corfeld said. "He will be a contender for our cross country team's top seven this season."

Reichling was the state runner-up in the discus as a senior at Darlington High School. He also placed sixth in the discus throw, the second-straight year he competed in both events at the state meet. As a junior, he placed fifth in both events. He had bests of 163-4 in the discus and 55-1 in the shot put as a senior.

"Jeff was runner up in the state division 3 shot put event and his best toss of the year was over 55 feet indoors," Corfeld said. "He will attempt all throws and we could see him excelling at the hammer. He will definitely strengthen the throws group."

Weir is coming off a state championship in the 400m his senior season at Ripon High School. His preliminary time of 48.37 was the fastest time in the state in 2009. Weir also placed fifth in the 800m (1:55.90) as a senior. His junior year, he took third in the 400m and competed in the 800m and with the 4x400m relay.

"Ryan ran the fastest (400m) time in the state as a senior and was in the top 15 in the 800m," Corfeld said. "With his leg speed and willingness to do middle distance training, he will have a chance to be among the best ever in our program."