KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As the program continues to build under head coach and director of track & field Duane Ross, the Tennessee coaching staff takes pride in developing young talent to exceed at the highest levels of the sport. Specializing in the throws, assistant coach Erik Whitsitt exemplified that during the 2024 campaign when he guided a pair of true freshmen to All-America honors in both the discus and javelin.
This fall, Whitsitt welcomed six rookies to Knoxville as he continues to build out his throws program on Rocky Top. The group combined for nine All-America honors, three Gatorade Athlete of the Year awards and two high school national championships over the course of their respective prep careers.
“I’m excited to welcome this class of throwers into our fold and build on our Class of 2023 which produced two freshman All-Americans,” Whitsitt said. “We’re on a mission here to contend for SEC and NCAA Championships, and building a strong throws group will be pivotal to our success moving forward. This class brings in several All-Americans, state and national champions, and two Gatorade Athletes of the Year. The future is very bright here at Tennessee.”
A complete breakdown of the 2024 signing class of throwers can be viewed below, including high school information, personal records and accolades from each of their previous institutions.
This fall, Whitsitt welcomed six rookies to Knoxville as he continues to build out his throws program on Rocky Top. The group combined for nine All-America honors, three Gatorade Athlete of the Year awards and two high school national championships over the course of their respective prep careers.
“I’m excited to welcome this class of throwers into our fold and build on our Class of 2023 which produced two freshman All-Americans,” Whitsitt said. “We’re on a mission here to contend for SEC and NCAA Championships, and building a strong throws group will be pivotal to our success moving forward. This class brings in several All-Americans, state and national champions, and two Gatorade Athletes of the Year. The future is very bright here at Tennessee.”
A complete breakdown of the 2024 signing class of throwers can be viewed below, including high school information, personal records and accolades from each of their previous institutions.
Jakob Alperin
Memphis, Tenn.
Christian Brothers HS
Personal Records:
- Shot Put (12 lb.) – 65-3 (19.89m)
Accomplishments:
- Capped his high school career for Christian Brothers with a runner-up finish at the TSSAA State meet in the shot put
- Heaved a school record and personal-best 65′ 3″ (19.89m) to win the shot put at the TSSAA West Regional meet
- His PR ranked second in the state of Tennessee and 19th nationally during the 2024 outdoor season
- Finished ninth in the shot put at the 2024 New Balance Indoor National Championships with an indoor personal best mark of 58-5.5 (17.82m)
Donna Douglas
Jonesboro, Ark.
Nettleton HS
Personal Records:
- Shot Put – 49-0.25 (14.94m)
- Discus – 175-0 (53.34m)
Accomplishments:
- Earned track & field Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the state of Arkansas in back-to-back years to close out a phenomenal high school career
- Owns the Arkansas state record for the shot put (49-0.25 / 14.94m) and discus (175-0 / 53.34m)
- Won the 2023 USATF National Junior Olympic Championship shot put title with a mark of…
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