CRESTON — Nick Ekel, Southwestern Community College head coach, added five additional student-athletes to the Spartan track and field roster.  During the past couple weeks, Spartan signees have included Nhail Bilew of Denison, Jeremy Newton of Australia, Caleb Peterson of Glenwood, Justin Wehling of Mount Ayr, and Rich Wilkins of Woodburn.

Nhail Bilew is a May 2016 graduate of Denison High School in Denison.  He earned medals at the 2016 Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) 3A State Track and Field Championships in the high jump, fourth place, and the 400m, eighth place.  Bilew has personal records of 50.58 seconds in the 400m and 6-feet-3-inches in the high jump. 

"Nhail is a student who loves to compete at the highest level," Ekel stated.  "He has the talent to score points in our region in multiple events."

Jeremy Newton originates from East Albury, New South Wales, Australia.  He is a graduate of Xavier High School.  He specializes in the 200m, 400m, and long jump. 

Ekel is confident Newton will help the Spartans sprint corps considerably with his athletic ability and leadership skills.

Caleb Peterson is a May 2016 graduate of Glenwood High School in Glenwood.  Peterson was a member of Glenwood's state runner-up shuttle hurdle relay team, as well as the sixth place 4x400m relay team at the 2016 IHSAA 3A State Championships.  Individually, he qualified for the state finals in the 400m hurdles.  Peterson has personal records of 51.99 in the 400m and 56.27 in the 400m hurdles.

Ekel said Peterson is a superior team player and has the talent and mindset to run any event from the 200m to the 800m.

Justin Wehling, a May 2016 graduate of Mount Ayr Community School in Mount Ayr, was a member of the Raider's 1A state qualifying 4x800m relay team in 2016.  He was all-conference in the Pride of Iowa Conference for the 1600m and 3200m runs his senior year.  Wehling has personal records of 4:56 in the 1600m run and 11:00 in the 3200m run.

"Justin brings a positive attitude and winning mindset from his time at Mt. Ayr," Ekel stated.  "His best days as a student-athlete are ahead of him."

Rich Wilkins is a May 2016 graduate of Clarke Community High School in Osceola.  Wilkins qualified for the 2016 IHSAA 2A State Championships in the 800m and 1600m runs.  He has personal bests of 2:03 in the 800m, 4:41 in the 1600m, and 6-feet in the high jump.

Ekel said Wilkins is a versatile athlete who will be a great addition to Southwestern's track and field family.

"A quarterback during the fall, Rich brings leadership and the ability to run any event from the 800m through the 3000m."