Running was always an outlet for Shelbyville senior Hannah Wright – a way to get away and focus on herself. Now running is a way to set up her future.
The Golden Bears’ top distance runner, Wright has committed to run collegiately at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College near Terre Haute, Indiana. She will compete for the Pomeroys in cross country and track and field.
Wright, the daughter of Brad Wright and Melissa Winslow, will major in Nursing.
St. Mary-of-the-Woods cross country coach Aaron Crawn started following Wright’s success this fall and made her a focal point of his 2024 recruiting class.
“I settled on St. Mary’s because of the teammates, the coaches and the nursing program,” said Wright, who was Shelbyville’s lone regional qualifier this past season after producing an 18th-place finish at the Shelbyville Sectional where she clocked a personal-best time of 20 minutes, 52 seconds on her home course at Blue River Memorial Park.
One week later at the regional, also hosted by Shelbyville, Wright finished 86th in a field of 239 runners to close out her cross country career.
Wright transferred to Shelbyville from Beech Grove as a sophomore and quietly worked her way to the top of the roster.
“We are so grateful Hannah found her home here,” said Shelbyville cross country coach Whitney Campbell Tuesday at Wright’s signing ceremony in the Golden Bear Room at the high school. “It has been so much fun to see her progress through the years, especially in cross country where she has dropped a minute every single year she has been here. She broke through and broke that 21-minute barrier this year which has been a lot of fun.
“I know she will continue to work hard in track and make some new (personal records).”
Shelbyville track and field coach Nick Blakey spoke of not enjoying athletes that complain about workouts. That has never been an issue with Wright, who runs distance events for the track program in the spring.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a negative word out of your mouth with regards to workouts, practices or competitions. That has always made me a big fan of yours,” said Blakey. “I know that will serve you really well at the next level because things will get a little bit more challenging, but you will continue to improve as well. It will get a little bit harder but you will get a lot better too at the same time.”
Wright set a goal of reaching the cross country state finals her senior year to get an opportunity to compete one more time on the Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute. The Golden Bears ran there in September at the Nike XC Twilight Meet. Wright finished 31st in her divisional race.
While she did not hit that state finals goal, her commitment leads her to many more opportunities competing at the state finals course near her next school.
“I love that course,” said Wright with a smile.
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