CLINTON, Iowa- Ashford University Track and Field Head Coach Tyson Graham was pleased to announce the signing of Heather Ketcham for the upcoming 2009 season. Ketcham, a native of Byron, Ill., is currently ranked seventh in high jump in the state of Illinois with a mark of 5'2

The addition of Ketcham adds immediate depth and will allow freshman Natalie Solms of Kissimmee, Fla., to shift her focus to her specialty, the triple jump. Graham projects Ketcham to be a top competitor for the indoor and outdoor seasons next year.

"We are very excited to have Heather joining our jumps squads at Ashford," said Graham. "She has a very good vertical and I believe she is capable of jumps well beyond 5'5. The addition of her to our program is significant because she will provide competitiveness between our jumpers. She has a great shot at reaching the "B" standard for our national qualification mark right away as a freshman."

Ketcham officially joins signees Sarah Wenzel of Clinton and shot-put specialist Ashley Voeltz of Fenton, Ill., in Graham's first recruiting class assembled at Ashford.