By Naomi Kruh
Staff Writer
After spending her entire high school career on Costa’s track and cross country teams, senior Abby Hong will take her passion of long-distance running to the University of Pennsylvania next year.
As a freshman, Hong had no prior running experience, only joining the team because she was looking for a sport to participate in before the start of swim season.
“We didn’t anticipate athletics playing a role in Abby’s life,” her mother, Jada Hong, said. “It has been a great journey.”
By the end of her freshman year, Hong earned an alternate role on varsity, and she became a leading member of the team the following year. She continued to improve, becoming number one in girls distance running in her junior and senior year.
“The team my freshman year was one of the best in Costa history,” Hong said, “It was part of what inspired me to work harder.”
UPenn contacted Hong in her junior year. After looking at other schools, she committed this past February. She will be running for the track and cross country teams.
“It will be exciting to have more competition and be a part of a team where you’re not counted on to be the best person,” Hong said.
Before committing to UPenn, Hong was interested in attending the University of California, Berkeley or Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Hong says she chose Penn because of the familiarity of its pre-med program and team atmosphere.
“I liked the team, and I thought it was a good fit,” Hong said.
Hong’s accomplishments within the last four years include advancing to state with the team in her junior and senior years. This last year she competed on the Foot Locker West team for Foot Locker Nationals.
“Making the Foot Locker West team is the pinnacle of any high school runner in the U.S.,” coach Renee Williams-Smith said.
The Foot Locker Nationals is a championship race for high school athletes, where Hong competed against the top 40 girls from the East and West regions. Hong placed 10th in the qualifying race, securing the last spot.
“It was an unforgettable weekend,” Hong said. “It was great to be around so many like-minded, competitive and fun people.”
Since joining cross country, Hong has influenced many of her teammates. Junior Avery Ward says that Hong motivates the other girls at practice and during races.
“Abby is a leader that pushes everyone to be their very best,” Ward said.
Hong currently wants to major in medicine at UPenn and has no plans to pursue running past college.
“I want to take time to explore my options in college,” Hong said. “I’d love to continue running after college, but not professionally.”
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