Wayne State University Athletics

Women's Track & Field 10/31/2023 8:54:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Women's Track and Field Completes Roster With Five Freshmen

Bennett, Klink, Modock, Otoko and Thompson join Warriors.

DETROIT -- With the women's indoor track and field season about a month away, this is the final story on the newcomers.

This article is about the five freshmen who joined the team this fall. They are Tianna Bennett (Howell, Mich.), Gracie Klink (Capac, Mich.), Danielle Modock (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Macomb Dakota), Joanna Otoko (Bremen, Germany / FEBB [Freie Evangelische Bekenntnisschule Bremen]), and Sasha-Gay Thompson (Plymouth/Shantamee, Jamaica / Titchfield).

Tianna Bennett, 5-8, Sprints/Jumps, Howell, Mich. / Howell
High School: A 2023 graduate of Howell High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Highlanders since the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID ... competed at the MHSAA Division 1 state meet in the 4x200m relay as a sophomore ... was a member of two sixth-place relays (4x100m and 4x200m) at the 2022 state meet ... set a personal-best of 16-5 in the long jump at the 2023 Highland Games Invitational ... earned High Honors academic recognition.

Personal: Full name -- Tianna R. Bennett ... born on November 3, 2005, in Dayton, Ohio ... daughter of Torrey Bennett and Tomeka Moore ... has an older brother, Tyler, and a younger sister, Jamya ... plans to major in Nursing.

Gracie Klink, 5-8, Jumps, Capac, Mich. / Capac
High School: A 2023 graduate of Capac High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Chiefs since there was not a 2020 season due to COVID ... finished second on the high jump (5-2) at the 2023 MHSAA Division 4 state track meet ... had a personal-best of 5-4 at the Reese Invitational in 2023 ... ran anchor on the 4x100m relay at the state meet as a junior ... placed ninth at the 2022 MHSAA state meet in the high jump (5-0), and also qualified as a sophomore ... also competed in volleyball and basketball ... served as a basketball team captain as a senior.

Personal: Full name -- Gracie E. Klink ... born on April 18, 2005, in Port Huron, Mich. ... daughter of Jason and Amy Klink ... father was a two-year (1990 and 1991) football letterwinner at Central Michigan as an offensive lineman ... has a younger brother, Max, and a younger sister, Ava ... is undecided on academic major.

Danielle Modock, 5-2, Sprints, Sterling Heights, Mich. / Macomb Dakota
High School: A 2023 graduate of Macomb Dakota High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Cougars since the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID ... competed in three events (100m, 400m relay, and 800m relay) at the 2021 MHSAA Division 1 state track meet, then ran the 100m and 4x100m relay as a junior ... won the 100m dash at the 2022 Macomb Area Conference Red Division meet in a personal-best time of 12.51, and placed second in the long jump with a personal-best mark of 16-03 ... won the 100- (12.74) and 200-meter (27.31) dashes and ran on two winning relays at the 2021 MAC Red Division meet ... qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic for 100M in both 2021 and 2022 ... also participated in competitive cheer ... was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, along with earning Academic Honor Roll recognition ... competes during the summer for the Maximum Output AAU Track Club and coach Stan Edwards.

Personal: Full name -- Danielle C. Modock ... born on January 22, 2005, in Detroit ... daughter of Amir and Matique Graham ... has two brothers, David and DJ, and two sisters, Destinee and Amia ... plans to major in Exercise & Sport Science (Sports Medicine).

Joanna Otoko, 5-11, Hurdles, Bremen, Germany / FEBB [Freie Evangelische Bekenntnisschule Bremen]
High School: A 2023 graduate of FEBB (Freie Evangelische Bekenntnisschule Bremen) ... ran a personal-best time of 8.87 for 60m hurdles to finish third at the 2023 Bremen Indoor Championships at the Hanover Sports Performance Center ... posted a personal-best time of 14.69 for 100m hurdles at the 2022 U 20 Germany Championships held at Danube Stadium in Ulm ... has also competed in the 60m dash (8.09), 100m dash (13.07), and 200m dash (27.72).

Personal: Full name -- Joanna Otoko ... born on March 12, 2004, in Bremen, Germany ... daughter of Joseph Otoko and Joanita Otoko Da Silva ... has two brothers, Taliasmin and Tulimin, and one sister, Josephine ... plans to major in Psychology.

Sasha-Gay Thompson, 5-7, Sprints, Plymouth/Shantamee, Jamaica / Titchfield
High School: A 2021 graduate of Titchfield High School in Port Antonio, Jamaica ... set a personal-best for 100m (12.29) at the GC Foster College event in March of 2023 ... ran a 1:00.71 for 400m at the 2023 Queen's/Grace Jackson Track Meet held at the National Stadium in Kingston ... set a PR for 200m (25.26) on March 28, 2019, at the ISSA Championships in Kingston.

Personal: Full name -- Sasha-Gay A. Thompson ... born on January 20, 2004, in St. Mary, Jamaica ... daughter of Michael Thompson and Grace Demontagnac ... has a younger sister, Sabrina ... plans to major Finance or Marketing.

Wayne State will begin its 2023-24 indoor season on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the SVSU Holiday Open.

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Players Mentioned

Danielle Modock: Sprints; 5' 2"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor

Gracie Klink: Jumps; 5' 8"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor

Tianna Bennett: Sprints/Jumps; 5' 8"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor

Sasha-Gay Thompson: Sprints; 5' 7"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor

Joanna Otoko: Hurdles; 5' 11"; Freshman; 1-Indoor

Players Mentioned

Danielle Modock
: 5' 2"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor
: Sprints

Gracie Klink
: 5' 8"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor
: Jumps

Tianna Bennett
: 5' 8"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor
: Sprints/Jumps

Sasha-Gay Thompson
: 5' 7"; Freshman; 1-Indoor/1-Outdoor
: Sprints

Joanna Otoko
: 5' 11"; Freshman; 1-Indoor
: Hurdles