Northwestern University Athletics
Likhite Lands Four Runners In First Recruiting Class
2/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Feb. 7, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern cross country coach April Likhite has announced the signing of four runners to National Letters of Intent. Hallie Busta (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson),Rachel Edwards (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie),Rachel Kaminski (Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) and Molly Waterhouse (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) will join the Wildcats for the 2008 campaign.
"I couldn't be happier with the direction our recruiting went this season," Likhite said. "These four athletes are exactly what we as coaches are looking for to represent Northwestern Athletics. From the very beginning, they understood what we were all about and truly bought into my plans for the future of Northwestern Cross Country."
"Besides the talent each and every one of these accomplished runners will contribute, they embrace the desire and commitment we need to make Northwestern Cross Country a nationally respected team once again. As a whole, this is one of the most talented classes we have brought into the program, and I'm looking forward to the impact they could make on our team next season."
Busta was a four-time All-Stark County and state meet qualifier at Jackson High School. Additionally, she was selected three times as an All-Ohio runner. She was named Jackson's MVP three times. The 3200-meter race earned Busta a place on the first-team of the All-Federal League in both 2005 (relay) and 2007.
Edwards was a three-time all-conference selection and two-time academic all-state in cross country. Her team won its conference championship in 2006 and finished third in the state meet. She was a 2007 all-state selection in track and participated in the Nike Outdoor Nationals. She won the 2007 Minnesota state championship in the 4x800.
Kaminski finished third at the Wisconsin State Cross Country Championships in 2007 and was a four-time state qualifier. She won every invitational for cross country during the 2007 seasons and was the highest Wisconsin finisher at the Roy Griak meet in Minnesota.
Waterhouse qualified for the state championships all four years at Vicksburg High School, where she quickly became an icon in the record books. She now holds the school record in both the mile (5:07) and two-mile race and was named the MVP of both the track and cross country teams. Her time of 10:49 in the two-mile was the fastest in the state of Michigan, where she won the title. Waterhouse qualified for the Footlocker National Championships, the most prestigious high school cross country event of the year, and she finished seventh at the Nike Outdoor National Championships.
Bios of all four student-athletes appear below.
Hallie Busta
5-5
Jackson Twp., Ohio/Massillon-Jackson
High School: Three-time team MVP (2004-05,'07) and All-Ohio runner (2005-07) ... Selected to first teams All-Stark County and All-Federal League from 2004-07 ... Four-time state meet qualifier, team finished second in 2005 ... First-team All-Federal League in the 3200-meter run in 2007, 3200-meter relay in 2005 ... Second-team All-Federal League in the 3200-meter run in 2005-06, 3200-meter relay in 2006-07, 1600-meter run in 2006 ... Won 2006 Coach's Award for Leadership ... Honorable mention All-Federal League 3200-meter run in 2006 ... Placed second in the region in the 3200-meter run in 2007 ... Named team's MVP in 2006 and 2007 ... Academic All-Ohio in track from 2006-07 ... Academic All-Ohio in cross country from 2005-07 ... Member of the National Honor Society from 2006-08.
Personal: Born Hallie Elizabeth Busta on on 8/22/90 ... Daughter of Rick and Lisa Busta ... Uncle Charles Busta III received his Masters in journalism from Northwestern ... Chose Northwestern of Loyola (Chicago) and Marquette ... Plans to major in journalism.
Rachel Edwards
5-9
Eden Parairie, Minn./Eden Prairie
High School: Three-time all-conference selection and two-time academic all-state in cross country ... Team won conference championship in 2006 and finished third in state meet in 2006 ... 2007 all-state selection in track ... Participated in Nike Outdoor Nationals in both 4x800 and 4xMile ... Won 2007 Minnesota state championship in 4x800 ... Also participated in basketball and Nordic skiing ... Ranked first in class in GPA ... National Honor Society member.
Personal: Born Rachel Edwards on 11/10/89 ... Daughter of Bruce and Jeanne Edwards ... Major is undecided.
Rachel Kaminski
5-3
Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port
High School: Four-year letter winner in both track and cross country ... Finished third at the Wisconsin State Cross Country Championships in 2007 ... Selected to All-State team senior year ... Four-year state qualifier ... Three-time all-conference and all-county selection (2005-07) ... Green Bay Press Gazette Cross Country Runner of the Year Award in 2006 and 2007 ... Three-time academic all-State ... Qualified for state championships in track in 2005-06 ... Conference champion in both the 800-meter and 1600-meter run in 2005, 800-meter run in 2006 ... Three-time all-conference in track ... Member of National Honor Society
Personal: Born Rachel Kaminski on 10/14/89 ... Daughter of Roger and Carolyn Kaminski ... Chose Northwestern over Wisconsin ... Plans to major in political science.
Molly Waterhouse
5-10
Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg
High School: Two-time all-state selection in Michigan ... Three-time all-state qualifier ... Four-time all-conference selection ... Three-time regional champion ... Holds state record for two-mile race at 10:49 ... Holds school records for the mile (5:07) and two mile ... Junior Olympic All-American ... 2004 runner-up at state meet ... Team MVP of both track and cross country ... Finished 35th at Footlocker National Qualifier in 2004 ... Member of the Midwest Champion team at Footlocker Nationals ... Finished seventh at Nike Outdoor National track qualifier in 17:37 ... Member of National Honor Society ... Honor roll student.
Personal: Born Molly Waterhouse on 6/9/90 ... Daughter of Bryan and Karen Waterhouse ... Chose Northwestern over Michigan State, Cornell, Iona and Minnesota ... Plans to major in physical therapy.
