Latrobe runner Skatell chooses Lehigh

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 | 3:40 PM

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Named after a band called “Emerson Drive,” Latrobe senior Emerson Skatell is in perfect rhythm with her college choice.

Skatell signed a national letter of intent to run track and cross country at NCAA Division I Lehigh of the Patriot League.

“When I went on my official visit, the team was very welcoming and reminded me of my own team,” Skatell said. “I felt that the coach cared about each and every athlete, which I really valued. Also, Lehigh has excellent academics, which I feel will prepare me for my future.”

Skatell also had offers to run at Bowling Green and Delaware. She said she hopes to run the 1,500 meters and 3,200 relay.

The notion to compete at the Division I level started to become reality last year, Skatell said.

“I realized my junior year of high school when coaches started reaching out that I had potential to become a D-I athlete,” she said, “so I continued to put in the work, and it paid off.”

Skatell won the Westmoreland County Coaches Association cross country championship in the fall with a time of 18 minutes, 41.10 seconds.

A former gymnast, she owns the Latrobe girls cross country record of 19:35.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe