Running into new territory
SLIPPERY ROCK — When she opted to attend Slippery Rock University, Ruthie Hughes was keeping it in the family.
The Seneca Valley graduate found herself an extended family in the process.
A sophomore on The Rock women’s cross country team, Hughes recently placed 17th overall at the Atlantic Region Championships — earning herself all-region honors — in helping SRU secure second place in the region as a team. That finish qualified SRU’s squad for the Division II Nationals for the first time since 2008.
“It’s very exciting,” Hughes said. “Our team is so close. We really are like a family. It’s fun just being a part of this.”
A standout distance runner at Seneca Valley, Hughes competed at the WPIAL Championships all four years, qualifying for the PIAA meet her senior season. She owns the fourth-fastest time in the 3,200 meters in Seneca Valley history.
Her father, Christopher Hughes, is head of the physical therapy department at SRU. Her brother, Matthew, is a graduate student in The Rock’s physical therapy program.
“It was sort of a no-brainer for me to come here,” Hughes said.
And she has no regrets.
A pre-med major, Hughes placed 50th in the Atlantic Region meet as a freshman last year. She jumped 33 spots in that same race as a sophomore.
“We ran in a highly competitive league in high school, so it wasn’t the competition I had to adjust to, so much,” Hughes said. “Part of it was starting over as a college freshman ... It took me a while to feel comfortable.”
She ran a time of 21 minutes, 45 seconds in placing 17th in the region. Two Rock teammates — Anna Igims and Katie Plassio — finished ahead of her at 4th and 15th, respectively.
Hughes’ best time this season is 21:29, when she placed 11th overall at the Lock Haven Invitational.
“Ruthie was a great high school runner who just keeps improving,” SRU cross country coach Bill Jordan said. “She continues to develop. She was a great high school runner at Seneca Valley. She’s dedicated to the sport and I don’t think she’s close to peaking yet.
“She works hard at her running every single day. Ruthie understands what it takes. Her family is very involved at the university and they fully support her.”
Before this season started, Hughes said she wrote down her goals and taped them to her mirror at home.
“I wanted to get a team win at the PSAC Championships, make all-region and be a national qualifier,” she said. “I’m happy to say all of those things were accomplished.
“I’ve never been to the national meet. I’m looking forward to that experience. I’ll do the best I can and see where that takes me.”
The national meet takes place Saturday and will be hosted by Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo.
Two other Butler County athletes — Moniteau graduate Hannah Burgoon and Butler graduate Jennifer Cichra — are also on SRU’s cross country team. Burgoon has been injured much of the season and Cichra is the team’s second alternate to go to nationals.
