Ashleigh Thurston '15 Recruiting Profile

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I believe that asking yourself everyday 'what is the purpose of working this hard?' and 'why should I push myself?' is important because those questions bring you back to an answer that increases your drive to succeed and reach the next level, from a fitness, leadership, strategic and academic standpoint. In addition to my AP and Honors classes, I currently hold a position as Secretary of Varsity Club, I am a member of FBLA (future business leaders of America), DECA Club (a business and marketing club), Spanish Club and I have lettered and participated in three varsity sports and have held starting/top positions on each of these teams since freshman year. I was captain of my high school's varsity soccer team my sophomore year (2011-2012) and in my 2013 Spring Track season, I became a record holder of my high school's 4x800 meter relay team record--a record that had not been broken for 30 years.

During my junior year and my first year of running cross country, I broke my high school's fastest girls 5k time on our home course, Greystone Park; I also placed on the top 50 times list for that course’s history. I placed 23rd in NJ’s State Championship meet (MOC’s) with a time of 19:03 at Holmdel Park; and have been recognized as first team all conference, first team all academic, second team all-group 3 and third team all-state.

After the Cross Country season, I started training with both the girls and boys winter track teams to prepare for the rapidly approaching meet schedule; this was my first season running track in the winter. The season started with being named one of the team captains, this was an exciting opportunity to create and strengthen that sense of team as well as offer support and guidance to the girls.

During the early part of winter season I placed first in the featured event (1600m) at the DeSchriver Invitational (Drew University) with a time of 5:18. This was my second time running the 1600m race and I became the first girl from Morris Hills to win a featured event.

I was also the first girl from Morris Hills to run the Steeplechase event. I ran in the New Balance Games on January 25, 2014 and finished my first Steeplechase race in 2nd with a time of 5:42. This became a Morris County record and a top 5 all-time in NJ Steeplechase time.

For winter track in Morris County I had the top times in both the 800m and the Steeplechase (I currently hold the county record in this event), the 9th best time in the 600m, the 8th best time in the 3200m, the 3rd best time in the 1000m as well as the 3rd best time in the 1600m. I also went on to race the 800m, the 3200m and the last leg of a 4*400m team relay in my Sectional and Group Meets and the 800m in the NJ MOC's meet.

Between the winter and the spring season I built up my body by doing olympic lifting for the shorter, faster distances I run in the spring (primarily the 400 intermediate hurdles the 800m, the 4*800m, the 4*400m, the 800m in the Sprint Med, the 1200m in the Distance Med, and the 1600m).

During spring season, I set clear cut goals for myself and for the Morris Hills high school girls’ track and field team. Personally, my goals included being not only a captain and a teammate and a friend to the ladies on the team, but also a teacher and an approachable mentor. I wanted to and worked hard to finally, by the end of the season, be running a sub 2:20 800m, as well as a sub 5:10 in the 1600m. The Morris Hills girls were looking to qualify for New Balance Outdoor Nationals with our teams’ young but hungry 4*800m relay team (which consisted of a freshman, a sophomore, and two juniors, myself and another teammate), but unfortunately, due to a teammates’ injury this goal will have to carry on to the next season we all run together.

For the team, the goal was to finish the season winning at least half of our meets and to be aware of and recognise moments where girls on the team had set a goal and reached them. Our girls this season were very encouraging of one another and I look forward to working with and taking some of the younger girls under my wing to show them that working toward a common goal and doing so with passion and learning from each and every race will be the key to their success as a team and as individuals in the future.

Mid-season, I ran my first 1200m leg in the distance medley at the Morris County Relay Championships and came in at a time of 3:54; our relay ended up placing fifth with an official time of 12:40.44. I originally ran the 800m leg in this relay but due to the higher level of competition our team was up against, my coach requested that I run the first leg instead; that way our team could be out front. My leg helped the girls on the Morris Hills team who ran the other legs of the relay. I had to make sure that I remained connected with our major competitors so our team could be pushed to reach a better time simply by sticking with the girls who would be around them.

At the Morris County Championship meet I ran the 800m and placed 4th in the county with a 2 second PR of 2:20.01.

When the state meets rolled around, not only had I not run a 1600m during this season but I was only put into one race as an individual, the 800m and I was to run the last leg in the 4*400m relay. About two days before the NJ North 1 Group 3 Section 2 State Sectional Meet, I went to go talk to my coach, and discussed with her my goal card and the possibility of me running in the 1600m race. She agreed to it, knowing that I wanted to PR badly. And, being that I had only run the 1600m four times (and only indoors) I was nervous but ready to go when the gun for that race went off. I came though the line with a 5:09.85 (a PR by 9 seconds) placing 5th to move on to the NJ North 1 Group 3 Championship Meet.

I am proud of the progress I made this past season as an individual and I am proud of the Morris Hills team for reaching our team goal of winning half of our meets.

I have new goals for myself for this cross country season, I have increased mileage, I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of camps this summer and with the knowledge of what a cross country season is like; I am prepared to come out strong and achieve the competitive times that allow me to stand out and be viewed as an asset to college cross country and track and field programs.

 My goal is to gain acceptance into a prestigious university that provides me with a diverse business program which will challenge me on a daily basis and that positions me for success in the professional world.