Cox graduated from Huntsville High School where he finished fourth at the Alabama High School Athletic Association 7A State Cross Country Championships as a senior in 2017. He was 29th at the 2016 state meet.
On the track, Cox was third in the 3,200 meters at the 2018 AHSAA Indoor State Championships before posting respective finishes of 11th and 14th in the 3,200 meters and 1,600 meters at the 2018 AHSAA 7A Outdoor State Championships.
Overall, Cox was a 10-time state qualifier in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
“Cameron made a big jump as a senior,” Hillyard said. “He reminds me a lot of Tyler Pence. He’s a late bloomer with a massive upside.”
Sorensen concluded a stellar prep career at Evansville’s Central High School, where he was a two-time All-State honoree in cross country and indoor track & field. He finished 20th at the IHSAA State Cross Country Championships as a junior in 2016 and was 22nd at the state meet last fall.
On the track, Sorensen was fourth at the Hoosier State Indoor State Finals this past winter. He won the 3,200 meters at the IHSAA Sectional 11 Championships as a junior in 2017.
Overall, Sorensen was a three-time All-City and All-Conference honoree in cross country and was an honorable mention Academic All-State award winner in 2017.
“Evan has great range and deceptive speed,” Hillyard said. “He possesses every trait you look for in a champion.”
Wisniewski graduated from Bloomington South High School where he finished 42nd at the IHSAA State Cross Country Championships as a senior in 2017. He helped his squad to conference, regional and semi state titles in 2017 as well as a regional crown in 2015.
The two-time all-conference honoree also qualified for the state meet on the track, where he finished ninth in the 1,600 meters at the 2018 IHSAA Championships. Wisniewski was 14th in the 3,200 meters at the Hoosier State Indoor State Finals in 2018.
“Jake’s trajectory is incredible,” Hillyard explained. “His 1,600-best was 5:08 as a freshman, 4:41 as a sophomore, 4:29 as a junior and 4:16 this spring. He’s going to be very, very good!”
Cox, Sorensen, and Wisniewski join fellow freshman Titus Winders (Mansfield, Tennessee) on USI’s list of newcomers this fall. Winders concluded his senior season at Henry County High School by finishing first in the 3,200 meters at the Tennessee Division I Large School State Track & Field Championships this spring and second in 1,600 meters at the TSSAA AAA State Championships.
