Ashley Cottino, a dedicated track and cross country runner, has officially committed to Westminster College. Known for her hard work and passion for running, Cottino has always pushed herself to improve. She’s excited to continue her athletic journey at Westminster, where she can grow as both an athlete and a person. With her strong drive and determination, Cottino is ready to take her skills to the next level and contribute to the college’s track and cross country teams. This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for her.
Everything about Westminster seemed perfect to her, from the location to the school’s environment, and Westminster was the top school that caught Cottino’s eye.
“I’ve been running since my freshman year. I wasn’t very fast when I started so I never even really thought about running in college until my junior year. I wasn’t ready to give up running so I started to look at schools,” says Cottino.
Cottino is really excited about improving her times. She’s been very fortunate to have amazing high school coaches but she’s excited to see what she can do with more training and resources.
Cottino says, “The recruiting process was surprisingly easy. I reached out to Coach Quinn and he immediately
responded. When I went for a visit, everyone on the team, the coaches, and the school staff were extremely nice and welcoming. When I visited, the team chemistry really stood out to me. I also felt like this program really wanted to help me succeed, no matter what that looks like.”
Cottino thinks she’s able to balance everything by enjoying the process. When she looks at assignments and practices as an opportunity instead of a chore, it feels a lot easier to do.
Cottino says, “I just want to become a better athlete. I really want to be more competitive in the 800m since it’s my main event but I also want to improve at the 400m and 1600m.”
She met some of her future teammates at the end of last year and she can’t wait to be on a team with them. They all seem extremely nice, friendly, and supportive.
“The culture at the school seems very supportive of helping me accomplish what I want, not just what the school wants for me. I think this will help me truly love what I’m doing,” says Cottino.
Cottino’s favorite memory from high school was when her team won the State Championship for the first time. All of her teammates came close to winning state just about every year but never actually won until she was a senior.
Cottino says, “I think the hardest part is the stress but I manage it by finding time for my other hobbies and things I enjoy.”
