PASCO – In a few short months, Amy Eloise-Neale’s biggest in-state cross country rival is going to become a teammate.
Neale and North Central’s Katie Knight – the top two finishers in the last four 3A state tournaments – both recently committed to run next year at the University of Washington.
“When I visited I just gelled really well with the team and the coaches and everything and I knew I’d be really happy there,” Neale said.
The two have become friends, having run against each other so much. Neale has three state titles in her four years at Glacier Peak, including Saturday’s win at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, Wash. Knight has the other one.
“It’s not like she’s an alien runner,” Neale said of Knight. “We’re both runners. We’re both friends…. We’re so excited. When she heard she freaked out. I’m very, very honored to be on the same team as her and that U-Dub team. They have a great program going.”
Amy-Eloise Neale and Glacier Peak were both state champions on Saturday. Click here for story.
While looking at schools, Neale wanted to stay on the west coast, but didn’t choose UW because of its proximity to where she’s grown up. A big factor was its molecular biology program, which Neale wants to study while running at UW – all but guaranteeing she’ll be pretty busy the next four years.
She’s already planning on not having a lot of free time.
“Probably not, but it’s the same as it would be anywhere,” Neale said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.