KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Head coach Kevin Cataldo and the Western Michigan track and field program have announced the addition of seven student-athletes prior to the upcoming season. The Broncos have added Laurie-Ann Desormes, Sandra Ferrari, Soniya Jones, Mimi Joseph, Mabinty Kebe, Kashyra Oliver and Layla Wallace to their sprints, hurdles and jumps group. 

The newcomers will work directly under Josiah Norville, who is in his second season with the WMU track and field program. Norville has an impressive track record of producing top talent. In one season with the Broncos, he was able to produce five top-ten marks in school history, one school record time, one All-MAC Second Team selection and four MAC Championship finalists. Overall, he has coached 25 All-Americans, 41 national qualifiers, 14 NCAA Preliminary Qualifiers and 24 individual conference champions. 

Laurie-Ann Desormes | Freshman | Sprints | Montreal, Canada | Vanier College
Desormes enters the program after competing in Canada for the last few years. Desormes is a very talented athlete that will bolster the sprints group, with personal best times of 12.17 in the 100m dash and 25.42 in the 200m dash. During her 2023 season, she was able to post three top-three finishes in the 60m dash and 100m dash, while grabbing first place in her lone appearance in the 200m dash. 

"Adding another strong sprinter with a lot of potential that can give us help in the 60 indoor and 100 outdoor and relays," said Norville. "She has a desire to be successful on the biggest stage and we see her developing well for us in the coming years."

Sandra Ferrari | Freshman | Hurdles/Jumps | Reggio Emilia, Italy
Ferrari is an exceptional athlete, coming to the program after competing in Europe over the last several years. Ferrari is strong in the hurdles and jumps, posting PR's of 13.81 in the 100m hurdles and 5.77 meters in the long jump. In her 2023 season, she placed second in her lone appearance in the 100m hurdles and third in one appearance in the long jump. She also aided a first-place finish in the 4x100m relay (46.48) back in May. 

"Sandra comes with a very extensive resume behind her in track and field," Novrille said. "She has competed at the highest level at the World Athletics U20 Championships in the 100H and has been the former Italian U20 National Champion in the 100H.  Her long jump experience will make her a dual event threat as well.  We are looking forward to Sandra making an immediate impact on the program and direction of the team."

Soniya Jones | Junior | St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda | Princess Margaret Secondary
Jones is an incredible athlete that joins the program after spending time at Central Arizona College. While there, she was named a First Team NJCAA All-American in 2023. Along with that, she earned First Team All-Region recognition and was a NJCAA 200m champion. She's also strong in the classroom, as Jones was part of the 2023 NJCAA All-Academic Team. During last year's NJCAA Regional meet, she finished first in the 200m dash and second in the 100m dash. She had a PR of 24.20 in the finals of the 200m dash.  

"We are getting a tremendous person and athlete in Soniya," said Norville. "She is accustomed to the United States after being an All-American Junior College athlete and has big meet ability from running at U20 World Championships in 2018 in the 100m.  She will give us a big step up in the short sprints and presence in the MAC."

Mimi Joseph | Sophomore | Jumps/Sprints | Orlando, Fla. | St. Joseph
Joseph is a 2022 graduate of St. Joseph High School and had an excellent career for the Bears. During her senior season, she was incredible in her jumps and sprints events. In the long jump, she never finished lower than 6th, earning 10 top-two finishes. Sprint wise, she was also great in the 60m, 100m and 200m dash events. Among those three events, she claimed 16 top-two finishes in her final year. She has PR's of 7.83 in the 60m, 12.39 in the 100m and 26.76 in the 200m dash events. In the long jump, her best mark is 18'11". 

"Another multiple event athlete that will bring depth to the team," Norville said. "Mimi has the ability to long jump well, give us support in the sprints, and will develop in triple jump.  We see her giving the jumps group another successful addition."

Mabinty Kebe | Junior | Sprints/Hurdles | Columbus, Ohio | Westerville Central/Ohio State
Kebe joins the program after spending 2020-23 at Ohio State. During her time at Ohio State, she helped the Buckeyes win the 2022 Outdoor Big Ten Championship meet, while breaking the meet's scoring record. Prior to OSU, she was a seven-time All-Ohio selection, 10-time All-Conference honoree and Division 1 Ohio state champion in the 300m hurdles with a school record time of 42.74. 

"Mabinty is the type of athlete that can give you the grind you need in the groups where athletes shy away from work," Norville said. "As a 400H she knows how to compete and be the athlete you can count on in a pinch.  We are looking forward to her shaking up the MAC in the 400H and helping out on the 4x4."

Kashyra Oliver | Freshman | Sprints | Cypress, Texas | Cypress HS
Oliver is a 2023 graduate of Cypress Park High School and showcased her strong talent during her career. During her senior season, she was able to grab six top-10 finishes between sprint and relay events.The young sprinter was strong in the 100m and 200m dash events in high school, posting PR's of 12.79 in the 100m and 26.52 in the 200m. 

"Kashyra rounds out the sprint group with the potential to give us some more firepower in the short sprints area," said Norville. "I expect Kashyra to do what she needs to do to succeed.  She is a workhorse who is willing to run any event to help the team."

Layla Wallace | Freshman | Jumps | Kalamazoo, Mich. | Portage Central
Wallace enters her first season with the Broncos after an exceptional career with Portage Central. She was incredibly strong in the long jump during her senior year, nabbing seven first-place finishes and one runner-up finish. Her PR in the long jump is 17'8". 

"Layla will round out a very deep jumps crew," Norville said. "She's a state qualifying long jumper and will take on the triple jump as well.  We think adding her to this group will help her develop at the next level."