National-record holder Addy Wiley passes up D-1 power Colorado to stay home at Huntington
Addy Wiley has de-committed from Colorado, a national power in college running, and instead enrolled at her hometown Huntington University.
The recent Huntington North graduate ran to a high school national record of 4:26.16 for 1,600 meters on June 11 and finished fifth in the 1,500 in the under-20 World Championships on Aug. 6. She is a five-time state champion and has set nine Indiana records since February 2021.
She was paced to her national record by Lauren Johnson, the Huntington University cross-country coach, who also coached Wiley during the summer months.
When IndyStar contacted Johnson, the coach deferred to Wiley.
In a post on the Indiana Runner message board, Wiley said the decision was hers and that should be enough.
“Finishing 5th at U20 Worlds was an unbelievable experience. I didn’t even run my best in the finals but still ran fast enough to contend for the NCAA national title as a high schooler,” her post said. “Why would I want to leave a coach and support network that helped guide me to a national record and a top 5 World finish?“As many of you know I accomplished that working with Lauren Johnson, who has always been a family friend and great mentor of mine. When I got back from worlds I told Lauren I wanted to continue working with her.
“I put her in a very tough position. She supported me going to CU and even helped arrange other school visits for me, but it’s my life and she has always wanted me to be able to decide what is best for myself.”
Wiley, 18, said NCAA Division I running was not for her “at this time” and is exploring name, image and likeness opportunities. She did not mention turning pro, as teen runners such as Mary Cain have done.
Wiley effectively ran faster than Cain’s high school mile record of 4:28.35, and she crushed the national record for 1,600 meters by seven seconds. Wiley is the only Indiana girl to win an 800/1,600 double at the state meet, and did so twice.
'Addy Wiley is an absolute beast.' Huntington North star completes unheard-of double-double.
Her achievements are made more amazing by the fact she is a survivor of childhood cancer.
Johnson, 35, a former basketball player, represented the United States in the 1,500 at the 2015 World Championships and ran in the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Trials. She raced in heats of June’s USA Championships.
She is entering her third season as cross-country coach of the Foresters’ men’s and women’s programs. One of Johnson’s runners, Emma Wilson of Greencastle, was also a five-time state champion. Wilson won five NAIA titles in the 2021 calendar year but left Huntington afterward and subsequently dropped out of college running.
Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Runner Addy Wiley decommits from Colorado, stays home at Huntington
