WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue track & field and cross country coach Norbert Elliott has announced that Rieko Wilford has committed to the program and will begin her Boilermaker career in 2021-22.
Wilford comes to West Lafayette as a triple jumper and long jumper from University Place, Washington.
"I am excited that Rieko has decided to join the Purdue family," Elliott said. "She is a very talented jumper who has developed all the fundamentals having a great teacher, her father."
"I chose Purdue University because I truly believe they have mastered the balance of academics and athletics as a school," Wilford said. "So, with such a prestigious biomedical program and an amazing track & field program, it only made sense to become a Boilermaker!"
Wilford attends Curtis Senior High and is coached by Sarah Hannula. She won the triple jump title at the 2020 Simplot Games and anchored the school record-breaking 4x400 relay team that posted a time of 3:51.19. Wilford placed fourth in the triple jump at the 2018 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships and won a NW region championship in 2018. At the 2018 state championship, she placed second in the 4x200 and third in the triple jump. Her personal-best triple jump mark is 40'6''.
A President's Award recipient, Wilford is an Honors Society member and earned the History Honors award in 2018. Additionally, she received the rookie of the year award in 2018.
Wilford intends to major in biomedical engineering at Purdue and aspires to work with CRISPR following graduation. Her parents are Elaine Ivery and Nathaniel Wilford, and she has four siblings.
Wilford joins a six-member signing class that was announced in November.
For more on the Purdue track & field and cross country program, visit PurdueSports.com/TrackField and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Wilford comes to West Lafayette as a triple jumper and long jumper from University Place, Washington.
"I am excited that Rieko has decided to join the Purdue family," Elliott said. "She is a very talented jumper who has developed all the fundamentals having a great teacher, her father."
"I chose Purdue University because I truly believe they have mastered the balance of academics and athletics as a school," Wilford said. "So, with such a prestigious biomedical program and an amazing track & field program, it only made sense to become a Boilermaker!"
✍ We are excited to welcome Rieko Wilford to the Boilermaker family! Rieko is a triple jumper and long jumper from University Place, Washington.
— Purdue Track & Field / Cross Country (@PurdueTrackXC) February 2, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/KbuSygnTj9#BoilerUp 🚂 pic.twitter.com/YMjvw8s2AE
Wilford attends Curtis Senior High and is coached by Sarah Hannula. She won the triple jump title at the 2020 Simplot Games and anchored the school record-breaking 4x400 relay team that posted a time of 3:51.19. Wilford placed fourth in the triple jump at the 2018 USATF National Junior Olympic Championships and won a NW region championship in 2018. At the 2018 state championship, she placed second in the 4x200 and third in the triple jump. Her personal-best triple jump mark is 40'6''.
A President's Award recipient, Wilford is an Honors Society member and earned the History Honors award in 2018. Additionally, she received the rookie of the year award in 2018.
Wilford intends to major in biomedical engineering at Purdue and aspires to work with CRISPR following graduation. Her parents are Elaine Ivery and Nathaniel Wilford, and she has four siblings.
Wilford joins a six-member signing class that was announced in November.
For more on the Purdue track & field and cross country program, visit PurdueSports.com/TrackField and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.