Virginia Women Sign Four to National Letters of Intent
Nov. 22, 2017
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.- Virginia director of track and field and cross country Bryan Fetzer announced on Wednesday (Nov. 22) the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the women’s track and field and cross country program.
“We are always looking for the individuals that are the best fit for UVA in terms of athletics and academics,” Fetzer said. “We do not graduate many young ladies this year so our class is very small. Each athlete fills a need/area in the program, which will continue to develop the program.”
Mia Abulencia- jumps- Dix Hills, N.Y.
– High school record holder in the long jump and triple jump
– Earned All-state honors in winter and spring track and field
“We are very excited to announce the signing of Mia to our team. She is an outstanding talent who has flown under the national radar but will make a major impact in the future. Mia fits the UVA mold and has big goals as a student-athlete. I look forward to working with her.”- UVA assistant coach Mario Wilson
“I chose to commit because there is no other place like it. The people, the community and the tradition all makeup why the University of Virginia is so unique and special. It was such an easy decision to make, and I cannot wait to begin a new chapter of my life at such a beautiful college.” – Abulencia
Abigail Green- cross country- Bethesda, Md.
– Four-time top-four finisher at the Maryland 4A State Championships, finishing first senior year
– Member of U.S. Junior National Track & Field Team for Pan Am Junior Championships
“Abbey is leaving Maryland as one of the best cross country runners in state history. She is a great student as well, and will help our track and cross country teams immediately.”- UVA assistant coach Todd Morgan
“UVA offers everything that I was looking for in a university, particularly excellent academics combined with great athletics. The campus, city and student community, as well as the running program, foster a strong sense of achievement and school spirit. The university provides the kind of environment that will allow me to become the best student and athlete that I can be.”- Green
Amelia Kokernak – mid-distance/distance- Niskayuna, N.Y.
– Ranks in the top seven all-time fastest cross country runners from Niskayuna
– Ranks top-eight all-time in N.Y. Section 2 for the 1,000-meters
“Amelia has shown great improvement every season and is already off to an even better senior year. She comes from a good high school program and has put up some big relay carries during her career. We think she can become a very good middle-distance runner here for us and will be a great addition to the team.”- Morgan
“I was looking for a school where I would be challenged to excel in both athletics and academics at the highest level, and I found exactly what I wanted at UVA.”- Kokernak
Helena Lindsay- cross country/distance- Yokohama, Japan
– Two-time South Kanto region champion in the 1,500-meter
– Won the 2,000- meter steeplechase at the All-Japan high school meet
“We are very excited about the addition of Helena. She has shown a tremendous amount of range in her track events and the ability to compete well in championship settings. On top of her accomplishments on the track, she is a proven cross country runner and has been strong in relay events back home.”- Morgan
“I simply knew UVA was the best match for me. Living in Japan, I had been looking for universities where I could achieve my goals as an athlete, while studying my interests. After I visited UVA for the first time, I couldn’t think about any other choice in Japan. Not to mention that the facility was mind-blowing. I loved how the whole team was like one big family. I knew at once that I would be alright if I joined this team, even if I was an international.
“Also, the courses they offer at UVA are amazing. I couldn’t stop getting excited when Coach (Morgan) took me to the School of Architecture and showed me the desks filled with scale models. Also, I loved Charlottesville. Somehow, I felt that time went by slower in Charlottesville and the warm atmosphere made it feel like home. I chose UVA because of the people, facility and atmosphere. I hope to be able to do something that only I can do in return.” -Lindsay