GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University track and field teams added four standouts to its 2020-21 campaign. The GSU student-athletes are listed below:

Aryamanya Rodgers

Rodgers was born in Bungongi, Uganda, and graduated from Kingston College in Jamaica. He is one of five boys to parents Herbert Byaruhanga and Tuhairwe Oliver.

The Ugandan native currently holds the Jamaican High School record for the 2000m steeplechase with a time of 5:49.46, which he set at the Jamaica Boy's and Girl's Athletic Championships in 2018.

"I want to become an engineer, a professional athlete and make my family proud," said Rodgers. "By attending Grambling State University, I hope to become more successful due to the fact that Grambling has all the valuable requirements to support my career goals athletically and academically." 

Rodgers is majoring in engineering technology. He also has personal best times of 8:36 in the 3000m which heads a list of three other international NLI signees.
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Abigail Pinnock

Hailing from Jamaica's Edwin Allen High School, Pinnock is the daughter of Eileen Amos has two sisters and one brother. Pinnock was born in St. Mary, Jamaica, and will boost the middle distance aspect of the Lady Tigers track team by bringing in a 2:13/800m; 4:49/1500 and 57/400m. She chose Grambling State University in order to pursue a business degree.


"I chose Grambling State University because its best known for business, and I also will pursue my athletic talent," said Pinnock.

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Judith Kiptanui

Coming from Flourspar, Kenya, (in Elgeiyo Marakwet County), Kiptanui graduated from Kapsabeth Girl's Secondary School. She posted a personal best of 9:56/ 3000m and 17:32/5000m.

"The reason I chose Grambling State University is because I want to teach," said Kiptanui, "and I want to improve on my athletic skills in order to reach a level of international competition which I believe the coaching staff can provide."

Kiptanui is the daughter of Phillip Kiptanui and Euslah Chagwony, and has two brothers and two sisters.

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Sharon Laibich

Laibich is a native of Kitale, Kenya, and is a graduate of St. Theresa Tarter Secondary School. She is the daughter of Julius Laibich and Jane Chemtai. Laibich will solidify the mid-distance group coming in with a high school best of 4:30/1500; 2:09/800m.

"I'm chasing the American dream," said Laibich. " Everything that revolves around me is running and schooling. I've concentrated so much on running that I forgot maybe the most important thing, my books. Unfortunately where I'm from, we don't have a system like American colleges that can combine everything to help you balance running and schooling, like academic counselors and study hall. I'll continue chasing the American dream, and I hope to get more scholarships so that I can support myself while getting an education at Grambling, and also make my father proud because they are depending on me back home."

Laibich is hopeful for the future and is excited that she chose an HBCU like Grambling.

"I chose an HBCU because I heard so much about the HBCU experience," said Laibich, "and coming from a British (UK) Educational System, I wanted to attend an HBCU and Grambling State University gave me an offer I couldn't refuse."

Laibich has three brothers and four sisters.


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