Bowman's Strickland signs on at Indiana for track, and maybe football

Bowman Academy senior Cornelius Strickland signed his National Letter of Intent at Indiana University on Wednesday morning. The track star said it was a dream come true.

He had several suitors for his services in the sprints, but the decision was all but made after he vised Bloomington in late December.

"They welcomed me into their family," Strickland said. "Many of their sprinters are highly nationally ranked. I got along with the coaches and the guys very well."

At last year's state track meet, Strickland finished second in the 100 and third in the 300 hurdles. This spring Strickland should again be one of the region's best.

The 6-foot-2, 182-pound wide receiver also had a great fall for the Eagles' football program. He caught 39 passes for 1,003 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 10 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Strickland said Bowman football coach Robert Gross has spoken with Hoosiers football coach Kevin Wilson, and the opportunity for Strickland to also play football is good.

"Yes, I really want to play," Strickland said. "I have to get a release to do both and I'm hoping that opportunity is still there. I want to have a great track season this spring. The first three years were fun. This is business because I have a target on my back."

Bowman athletic director Marvin Rea was pleased as Strickland became Bowman's fifth Division I athlete to sign this school year.

Strickland joins basketball players DeJuan Marrero (DePaul), Elijah Ray (IUPUI), Stephan Hawkins (Robert Morris) and Princess German (Wisconsin-Milwaukee).

"Cornelius is a great young man and we're very proud," Rea said. "He's an honor student. He is one of our biggest supporters of all sports. He's at volleyball games, girls basketball games, boys basketball games.

"He took a chance on our school. We don't even have a track. But he's worked hard and has made himself into one of the state's top runners."