My name is Ashlyn Willis, and I am a member of the Class of 2027 at Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois, where I compete in cross country and track. What makes my journey unique is that I have been running for less than one year. Before making the switch, I played competitive soccer my entire life, including varsity soccer as a midfielder. Once I discovered distance running, I fell in love with the sport and knew I wanted to compete at the collegiate level.

In my first year of running, I qualified for the IHSA Cross Country State Championships, ran 11:02 in the 3200m, placed 6th at the 2026 Indoor Championships, and am honored to serve as a team captain for both cross country and track. This summer, I was an All-American Medalist at the Adidas National Championship in the 3200m. Although I recently battled an injury, the experience only strengthened my determination and commitment to becoming the best athlete I can be. With less than a year of running experience, I know I have tremendous potential and am excited to continue improving.

Academics are just as important to me as athletics. I have a 92/100 GPA, am an AP Conversatio Leadership Scholar and Certificate Candidate, am a member of the National Honor Society, and received the College Board School Recognition Award. I hope to pursue a career in medicine while continuing to compete at a high level in college.

I pride myself on being hardworking, coachable, and determined to improve every day. I enjoy leading by example, encouraging my teammates, and embracing every opportunity to learn and grow. I am looking for a college where I can continue to develop as both a student and an athlete while contributing to a competitive, supportive team culture. I believe my background, work ethic, and rapid progression show that my best years are still ahead of me, and I am excited for the opportunity to continue my running career at the collegiate level. For more information, please email me at ashlynwillis2027@gmail.com.