Northwestern University Athletics
April Likhite Announces Class of Four Future 'Cats
2/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country & Track
Feb. 17, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head coach April Likhite has announced the addition of four runners to her roster for the 2010 fall season. The quartet of incoming freshmen--Lexie Goldsmith, Michelle Moriset, Katie Perkins and Ann Powers--are all decorated high school runners who have aspirations of making immediate contributions to the NU squad.
The 2010 freshman class includes one local product from the South Side of Chicago where Goldsmith attended Carl Sandburg High School. Moriset and Perkins each hail from the state of Michigan while Powers is native to New York City.
"We are thrilled to have these outstanding young women join our program," Likhite said. "Each brings their own unique characteristics along with determination and discipline that will not only benefit our program but also will help them achieve their goals in athletics and academics. What is most impressive is their enthusiasm to be part of and immediately impact our success as a team. We are excited to have them and their families joining Northwestern Cross Country."
Likhite's group of newcomers includes three all-state honorees, including a fourth-place Illinois state finisher in Goldsmith and a 17th-placewinner at the Nike Cross Country Nationals in Moriset. Perkins also was an all-state selection in Michigan while Powers holds records at three distances at her high school.
The class is poised to join a Northwestern squad that lost just three seniors to graduation after last season. NU will also benefit in 2010 from the return of Sophie Ewald and Rachel Kaminski, both of whom are coming off redshirt seasons.
Below is a complete look at each future Wildcat's personal bio and list of accomplishments.
Lexie Goldsmith
Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg
High School: Placed fourth at the 2009 Illinois state 3A championships, recording the third-fastest three-mile state meet run in Carl Sandburg history (17:20) ... Named all-state, all-regional and all-sectional ... Competed at Mideast Senior meet, helping Illinois to a first-place finish ... Team placed second in the state in 2009 and sixth in 2008 ... Member of National Honors Society and named an Illinois State Scholar.
Personal: Born Alexis S. Goldsmith ... Daughter of Cindy and Mark Goldsmith ... Chose Northwestern over Purdue, Iowa and Butler ... Attended same high school as NU head football coach Pat Fitzgerald, former NU quarterback Zak Kustok and current NU All-American wrestler Brandon Precin ... Planning to major in engineering.
Michelle Moriset
Troy, Mich./Troy
High School: 2009 Nike Cross Nationals qualifier and 17th-place finisher ... Four-time varsity letterwinner in cross country and track ... Captain of both sports her senior year ... All-state cross country honoree in 2007 and 2009, finishing sixth in 2009 ... All-American indoor selection in 2-mile run at National Scholastic Indoor Championships ... Earned second place in the 3,000-meter at the World Youth Trials ... Two-time high school athlete of the year ... All-state track selection in 2008 and 2009 ... National Honor Society Member ... Four-time scholar athlete.
Personal: Born Michelle Victoria Moriset ... Daughter of Lori and Michael Moriset ... Chose Northwestern over Cornell, Michigan, Michigan State, and North Carolina ... Planning to major in legal studies.
Katie Perkins
Traverse City, Mich/Traverse City Central
High School: Four-year letterwinner in cross country and outdoor track as well as Nordic skiing ... Named Division I all-state in cross country during her sophomore and junior years after finishing as an all-state track performer in the 3,200-meter race during her freshman season ... Top runner on cross country team that competed in team state championship junior year ... Contributor to high school newspaper.
Personal: Born Mary Katherine Perkins ... Daughter of Maureen and Dr. Philip L. Perkins ... Chose Northwestern over Iowa and Oberlin College ... Family hosted an exchange student from Norway during her senior year of high school ... Planning to major in communications.
Ann Powers
New York, N.Y./Trevor Day School
High School: Two-year varsity letterwinner in cross country and four-year member of varsity track team ... Holds school and GISAL records in 1,500, 1,600 and 3,200-meter events as well as 5K ... Placed third in NYSAIS cross country championships meet in 2008 ... 2008 all-league cross country selection and three-time all-league honoree in both track and soccer ... Three-sport captain.
Personal: Born Ann Powers ... Daughter of Mark and Christina Bilsky ... College major is undecided.
