Ashley Richardson '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ashley Richardson. For the past seven years I have absolutely dedicated my life to the sport of Track and Field, and pushing myself to be the best student I can be in the classroom as well.  It all began at the end of my fifth grade year when I decided to start running track. At this time I lived in Georgia, and began my track and field career with Jackrabbit Track and Field club.  I was a part of that team for two years, training with some of the highest ranked athletes, and competing in nationals in the 200, 4x100, and 4x400. For the rest of my track career in Georgia, I ran with a team known as ATL Zoom Athletic, and this is when I began to realize that being a multi-event athlete was the best thing for me. l began to train and compete in the pentathlon my eighth grade year where I scored 1813 at the regional level. 

I went to Grayson High School in Georgia where I ran for the Varsity Track team, and completed Freshman year with a 4.0 GPA in honors classes.  In addition to staying on top of my grades, I was rewarded with the Promise of Gwinnett award. I was the only freshman in the county who received the award for my efforts put towards helping others around my school and in the community. 

Unfortunately, I ran into a setback In my track and field career the summer of freshman year, but now that I look back at it, I’m glad it happened because it showed me that no obstacle is too big to overcome. When the living conditions at home with my mother became unsafe, I felt like the best thing for me to do was move to Philadelphia to live with my father. This meant I had to leave behind my school, track team, friends, and all the other amazing people who helped me to accomplish so much in my life.  

Despite the obstacles, I never stopped striving to become a better multi event athlete. My drive towards competing in the Heptathlon at a collegiate level still remains strong!