Northwestern University Athletics
Miller Announces 2020 Recruiting Class
4/17/2020 12:41:00 PM | Women's Cross Country & Track
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern Cross Country Head Coach Jill Miller announced the addition of five newcomers to the 2020 recruiting class on Friday afternoon. The future Wildcats are set to compete this fall.
"We are excited to welcome our staff's first recruiting class and we couldn't be more thrilled about the caliber of student-athletes we have attracted to Northwestern. Each of these young women will bring great energy to our program," said Miller. "They each pride themselves on having a strong work ethic, desire to work with our staff and current team members, and live the lifestyle that our sport demands. They will not only push forward our athletic competitiveness, but will drive forward a culture of excellence on the course and in the classroom."
Name: Lotte van der Pol
Hometown: Malden, Netherlands
Previous School: Radboud University
PBs: 9:43 (3000m) 16:35 (5000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
I am most excited to be competing with an incredibly strong group of women, who support each other. I immediately fell in love with the amazing team spirit of Northwestern's Wildcats. After training by myself for a few years, I can't wait to be training and racing with such inspiring women and learn from an amazing coaching staff.
Name: Addy Vettel
Hometown: Weston, Massachusetts
High School: The Rivers School
PBs: 10:02 (3000m) 4:42 (1500m) 18:11 (5000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
"I am really excited to get to know all my new teammates and eager to throw myself into a new challenge of training with such a talented team. I hope to learn, grow and compete in a way that helps this team succeed."
Name: Emily Casaclang
Hometown: Burleigh Waters, Australia
High School: Emmanuel College
PBs: 2:15 (800m) 4:34 (1500m) 9:56 (3000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
"I'm most excited to get on campus and be in a whole new running environment with a great teammates and coaching staff. I just can't wait to be a part of such an amazing team!"
Name: Sabrina Gornisiewicz
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Previous School: Tufts University
PBs: 21:15.7 (6K XC) 17:55.1 (5K XC) 10:02 (3000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
"It's easy to fall in love with running. The ability to get anywhere depending on the strength of your own two feet is a pretty unique sensation. However, what keeps me in love with running and challenging myself to improve is getting to be a part of the Northwestern Cross Country my team. I cannot wait to be a Wildcat. The running community at Northwestern goes beyond the relationship of teammates. They are friends who help you stay accountable, maintain a positive outlook and make a long run seem short. My running buddies, all of us dressed head to toe in purple, is what I am most excited about!"
Name: Katie Hessler
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
High School: East Grand Rapids
PBs: 18:31 (5K) 5:19 (1600m) 11:03 (3200m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
I'm most excited to continue to race competitively as a Wildcat. It is so exciting to be able to continue my improvement as a runner on a new team. I look forward to joining this family, and seeing what more I am capable of on the course.
"We are excited to welcome our staff's first recruiting class and we couldn't be more thrilled about the caliber of student-athletes we have attracted to Northwestern. Each of these young women will bring great energy to our program," said Miller. "They each pride themselves on having a strong work ethic, desire to work with our staff and current team members, and live the lifestyle that our sport demands. They will not only push forward our athletic competitiveness, but will drive forward a culture of excellence on the course and in the classroom."
----------------------------------------
Name: Lotte van der Pol
Hometown: Malden, Netherlands
Previous School: Radboud University
PBs: 9:43 (3000m) 16:35 (5000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
I am most excited to be competing with an incredibly strong group of women, who support each other. I immediately fell in love with the amazing team spirit of Northwestern's Wildcats. After training by myself for a few years, I can't wait to be training and racing with such inspiring women and learn from an amazing coaching staff.
Name: Addy Vettel
Hometown: Weston, Massachusetts
High School: The Rivers School
PBs: 10:02 (3000m) 4:42 (1500m) 18:11 (5000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
"I am really excited to get to know all my new teammates and eager to throw myself into a new challenge of training with such a talented team. I hope to learn, grow and compete in a way that helps this team succeed."
Name: Emily Casaclang
Hometown: Burleigh Waters, Australia
High School: Emmanuel College
PBs: 2:15 (800m) 4:34 (1500m) 9:56 (3000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
"I'm most excited to get on campus and be in a whole new running environment with a great teammates and coaching staff. I just can't wait to be a part of such an amazing team!"
Name: Sabrina Gornisiewicz
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Previous School: Tufts University
PBs: 21:15.7 (6K XC) 17:55.1 (5K XC) 10:02 (3000m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
"It's easy to fall in love with running. The ability to get anywhere depending on the strength of your own two feet is a pretty unique sensation. However, what keeps me in love with running and challenging myself to improve is getting to be a part of the Northwestern Cross Country my team. I cannot wait to be a Wildcat. The running community at Northwestern goes beyond the relationship of teammates. They are friends who help you stay accountable, maintain a positive outlook and make a long run seem short. My running buddies, all of us dressed head to toe in purple, is what I am most excited about!"
Name: Katie Hessler
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
High School: East Grand Rapids
PBs: 18:31 (5K) 5:19 (1600m) 11:03 (3200m)
What are you most excited for, when looking towards your first cross country season as a Wildcat?
I'm most excited to continue to race competitively as a Wildcat. It is so exciting to be able to continue my improvement as a runner on a new team. I look forward to joining this family, and seeing what more I am capable of on the course.
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