Dewa Ilg '25 Recruiting Profile

Distance running is by far the most challenging sport I have ever competed in. Distance running is also the sport I love most for this very reason. I love the pain and sacrifice one must endure to succeed in this sport. I began running competitively at the age of 12. Once I began competing, there was no question in my mind as to if I want to continue this sport. When it came time to decide if I wanted to run in high school, the answer for me was very apparent. In the past 4 years, my dedication and love for running has only grown. I've known without a doubt in my mind for 6 years that I want running to always be a part of my life. And for me, college athletics is the next step. 

I've been a team leader for the past 2 years on my High School Cross Country and Track teams. I absolutely love being able to lead by example, showing that it's not just how fast you can run a couple miles that qualifies you to be a leader, but a good character, a positive attitude, and a helpful, encouraging hand all comprise a leader that everyone wants to look up to. Beyond that, I have learned how to run fast and maintain a hard pace in a pack, running with other girls. 

Racing Varsity Cross Country for 4 years and Track for 3 years has improved my skills as a runner and overall athlete monumentally. I was selected for HM State XC participant and Southwestern League All Conference Second Team my freshman year. My sophomore year, I was again selected as an HM for State XC. My junior year, I was selected for Academic All State First Team in both XC and Track. I was selected for Southwestern League All-Conference First Team. I was an HM for both XC and Track at the State level. I also received recognition as a Scholar Athlete. 

Beyond distance track and cross country, I am a competitive nordic skier in the winter season and I have been for 7 years. For the past 5 years I have been racing on the Junior National circuit.  I would also be interested in competing in Nordic skiing at the college level. I also rock climb and lift consistently. All of these sports have contributed to making me a very strong, committed, well-rounded athlete and individual. 

In the classroom I work hard to maintain my 4.10 GPA (3.80 UW). I have taken 5 AP classes (and scored 4’s on all the national exams). I took an honors English course sophomore year as well as 3 College Classes through Durango High School's dual enrollment program with Fort Lewis College. I received acceptance into the National Honors Society my sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school. I was also chosen as the exemplar for my school’s Portrait of a Graduate, in which I spoke about my presentation in front of the superintendent and staff at DHS. I was selected as an AP Scholar with honor in 2024. I am an active member of DHS’ WILD (Women in Leadership Development) Club. Finally, I have made honor roll all three years of high school so far, achieving high honor roll both my Freshman and Junior years. 

I would like to attend a college where I can challenge myself academically and athletically. I strive to study medicine in college and I will dedicate myself to get accepted into a prestigious medical school. Beyond academics, I aim to challenge myself equally on the racecourse. I am open to all options for college and I want to compete at the highest level possible. My ultimate goal is to be the best student-athlete I can be while also inspiring and encouraging others to do the same.