Alexa Westley of Warren Hills, one of the top distance runners in the country, has made her eagerly anticipated college choice.
The winner is the University of Wisconsin!!
Westley, who announced her commitment on Sunday night, also visited Furman and Penn State.
Westley said Wisconsin was the perfect for her.
"I always had a dream of going to a big school,'' said Westley. "I can't wait to be part of a big team. Both academically and athletically, it was everything I wanted. The facilities were outstanding and details given to student athletes impressed me from the start, but most importantly the dynamics of the team and the connection I had with Coach Jill (Miller) was what ultimately lead me to my decision.''
Westley, wo plays basketball in the winter, burst on the running scene when she finishied fourth as a sophomore at the 2016 NJ XC Meet of Champions in 18:48.
She proved that her performance wasn't a fluke when she won the 3,200 at the 2017 Outdoor Meet of Champions in 10:35.41.
Then as a junior last year, she smashed the course record at Greystone Park with a time of 17:23 when she captured the North Jersey, Sec. 2 Group 3 XC title. Then, despite illness at the State Group 3 and M of C races, Westley still placed sixth at the M of C 18:31, and capped her campaign by placing 11th at the Nike Northeast Regional.
Last spring, Westley won her second straight 3,200 at the M of C in a PR of 10:30.06, ran a PR of 4:59.05 in the 1,600, and earned All American honors by placing third in the 5K at the New Balance Nationals in 17:03.95.
And her senior XC season has gotten off to a very fast start.
Westley dropped a Holmdel Park PR of 18:05, No. 18 in course history, when she won her race at the Shore Coaches Invit. on Oct. 6. She followed that up by placing third in 12:23.4 over 2.5 miles, the 10th fastest time in course history for a NJ runner, in the Eastern States Championship race this past Saturday at the Manhattan Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park.
Westley said there are a lot of people who have helped her reach this memorable moment in her life.
"I can't say appreciative I am to have so many supporters along the way,'' said Westley. "To my parents, coaches, friends, trainers, and community. I am truly grateful to be able to run at such an amazing school."
