CLINTON, Iowa - Ashford University Track and Field and Cross Country Head Coach Tyson Graham added a key component to his program's future on Monday as he announced the signing of Nkemdilim Okwumabua (pronounced n-KEM-duh-lem Oh-Koo-MAH-bua).

A graduate of Auburn High School in Rockford, Ill., "Kemi" becomes Graham's fifth commitment on the women's side for the 2009-10 campaign.

Clinton's Sarah Wenzel, Heather Ketcham of Byron, Ill., Ashley Voeltz of Fulton, Ill., Ashley Murray of Mason City, Iowa, and Okwumabua comprise Graham first recruiting class to date.

"She (Kemi) is a huge pickup for our program," Graham said. "She's a national qualifier in the 400 and 800-meter runs and will probably be our top cross country runner this fall. Kemi will be the perfect building block for middle distance and will really be pushing her teammates in practice because she stays positive and is willing to do anything."

Okwumabua was a four-time NIC-9 All-Conference honoree and a three-time state qualifier for the Lady Knights. She finished 10th in the 800-meter run at the Illinois state meet this year as a senior and owns school records at Auburn as part of 4x200, 4x400 and 800-medley relay teams.

Okwumabua hasn't participated in a cross country event since middle school where she was runner-up at the all-city meet, but is excited to make a potential impact on the Saints' program. She is also a three-time national qualifier in the 800-meter run while competing for the USATF's Golden Eagles Track Club.

"I'm excited and can't wait to start the season at Ashford," she said. "I loved Coach (Tyson) Graham's enthusiasm when he watched me run at several events during the year and that really raised my interest."

The daughter of Kafondi and Elvira Okwumabua, Nkemdilim plans to major in biology and physical therapy while at Ashford.