Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University has announced the addition of four student-athletes to its women's track and field program for the 2025-26 academic year. The new recruits—Edimari King from Farmington, Michigan; Mariska Laurila from Carney, Michigan; Ella McCarty from Timmins, Ontario; and Taylor Morrison from Houston, Texas—will strengthen the throws group under head coach Grant Lofdahl and throws coach Celine Freeman-Gibb.

This incoming group joins previous signee Jaeda Tilton, increasing the throws roster to seven athletes, which includes returning members Makayla Stewart and Ania Toboy.

"We have a talented class of throwers coming in with the addition of Taylor, Ella, Mariska and Edimari," said Freeman-Gibb. "Their drive and dedication to throwing is what will continue to push our program to the next level. We look forward to seeing what they can do indoors as well as outdoor this year. Our returning athletes have set the stage for these ladies and working side by side we are going to accomplish some great things!"

Edimari King was a four-year letterwinner at Farmington High School, competing in shot put and discus at regional meets each year. She won her regional meet in discus as a senior and placed fourth at the state meet with a personal best of 134-6. King also competed in basketball and cross country, served as a basketball team captain, received All-Oakland Activities Association honors in basketball as a senior, and graduated with honors.

Mariska Laurila earned five varsity letters in track at Carney-Nadeau High School. She advanced multiple times to state finals in both shot put and discus events and was also involved in basketball, volleyball, and softball. Laurila served as team captain across several sports and received Academic Honors all four years.

Ella McCarty attended O'Gorman High School in Timmins before also studying at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School in Sudbury. She finished second at the 2025 Ontario Track & Field Championships in javelin with a throw of 38.78 meters and placed sixth at the August 2025 women's U20 event while representing Real North Athletics. McCarty was active in basketball and volleyball as well.

Taylor Morrison competed for Lamar High School in Houston where she participated all four years at district meets for shot put and discus. In her senior year she achieved personal bests of 37-5 (shot put) at the Rice Annual Victor Lopez Classic and 87-3 (discus) at the Mayde Creek Ram Invitational.

The additions are expected to add depth to Wayne State's throws squad for both indoor and outdoor seasons beginning next year.