Virginia Welcomes Six Female Distance Runners to Class of 2025
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s track & field and cross country team announced the addition of six incoming student-athletes on Friday (Nov. 13). Distance runners Margot Appleton (Mattapoisett, Mass.), Sophie Atkinson (Katy, Texas), Mia Barnett (La Crescenta, Calif.), Véronic Boire (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada), Caroline Bowe (Midlothian, Va.) and Luci Lambert (Redwood City, Calif.) will join the Cavalier program as part of the class of 2025.
“We are thrilled to announce our early signees for this year’s class in the women’s middle-distance and distance events,” director of track & field and cross country/associate athletics director of administration Vin Lananna said. “Coach (Nicole) Freitag and I are confident this very talented group will continue to raise the bar for the program as they are fully committed to contributing to an elite track and field program as well as an elite academic institution.”
Margot Appleton – Mattapoisett, Mass. – Portsmouth Abbey School
Personal Records: 3k (9:48) | 5k (16:57)
Athletic Achievement: Named the 2019 Rhode Island Gatorade State Cross Country Player of the Year and was a 2019 Footlocker Finalist
Fun Fact: Played squash during the winter of her freshman and sophomore year
Academic Interest: Undecided
Why UVA: “I felt an instant connection with the team and the coaches, and UVA offers a combination of great academics and athletics.”
Comments From Lananna: “Margot runs her best in championship races like a true competitor. We expect Margot to be a big asset to our distance group in cross country and track.”
Sophie Atkinson – Katy, Texas – Cinco Ranch High School
Personal Records: 1,600m (4:48) | 3,200m (10:11) | Cross Country 5k (16:40)
Athletic Achievement: Qualified in three events for the Texas state meet
Fun Fact: She is half British
Academic Interest: Undecided but interested in business
Why UVA: “It’s the perfect balance of academic and athletic success! The team vision was very appealing to me as well!”
Comments From Lananna: “Sophie ranked herself among the top high school distance runners in the U.S. this fall and we believe she’ll make an immediate contribution to our women’s team as a leader and a competitor.”
Mia Barnett – La Crescenta, Calif. – Crescenta Valley
Personal Records: 5k (16:38) | 1,600m (4:46.12) | 3,200m (10:22.53)
Athletic Achievement: Is the Footlocker West Region champion and a seven-time CIF Southern Section champion
Fun Fact: Barnett volunteers weekly at the Dream Center which offers support to those who are homeless, hungry or lacking education
Academic Interest: Undecided
Why UVA: “I could not be more thrilled to attend the University of Virginia. The opportunity to be the best version of myself academically and athletically has inspired my choice in UVA.”
Comments From Lananna: “Mia brings great strength and speed to our women’s distance group. We expect Mia to be an immediate contributor to the team in cross country and on the track.”
Véronic Boire – St-Jean-sur-Richelieu , Canada – Marcellin Champagnat
Personal Records: 1,500m (4:28) | 3,000m (9:28) | 5,000m (16:34)
Athletic Achievement: Nearly topping a 39-year-old state record for the U20 3,000m and has the goal to snap it during her senior year
Fun Fact: She did not start running until 10th grade but prior to that played softball exclusively and had aspirations of competing collegiately in the sport
Academic Interest: Neurosciences
Why UVA: “Simply the hope of having the chance to get into this school was enough to motivate me the most I’ve ever been; so imagine what it will be like when I’ll be a part of it!”
Comments From Lananna: “Véronic is as driven and self-motivated as they come. She made significant progress on the track this year and we’re confident she will be a great asset to our women’s distance group.”
Caroline Bowe – Midlothian, Va. – Midlothian High School
Personal Records: 800m (2:12) | 1,600m (4:56)
Athletic Achievement: Is the 2019 Virginia state champion in the 1,000m and the 2019 state runner-up in the 1,600m
Fun Fact: Learned how to do nail art during the quarantine
Academic Interest: Business/Sports Marketing
Why UVA: “I chose UVA because of the incredibly bright future of the track & field/ cross country program and the challenging academics. Coach Vin (Lananna) and Coach Nicole (Freitag) gave me a vision of developing as an athlete and teammate. I felt immediately at home and knew UVA was the place for me when I met the girls on the team! I’m so excited to be a part of this family! Go Hoos!”
Comments From Lananna: “We see great potential in Virginia native Caroline Bowe. She won her first state title last indoor season where she proved to be very a strong competitor and we look forward to further developing her talent in the middle-distances.”
Luci Lambert – Redwood City, Calif. – Sacred Heart Preparatory Atherton
Personal Records: 800m (2:17) | 1,600m (4:57)
Athletic Achievement: Named the 2019 Central Coast Sectional cross country runner-up
Fun Fact: She started a jewelry business
Academic Interest: Political Science
Why UVA: “UVA caters to so many areas of interest and allows their students to become well rounded. I understand the commitment I am making as an athlete, and I am also excited about the other opportunities that I will be able to be a part of at UVA as well.”
Comments From Lananna: “Luci proves to be a hard worker and a great teammate. We look forward to working with Luci in the middle-distance and distance events.”