Two-time Georgia state champion Emma Grace Hurley of Fellowship Christian School committed to Furman University on Tuesday, via Twitter.
The 2014 Foot Locker finalist placed 24th in San Diego last fall. She owns personal best times of 4:55 for the mile, 10:37 for two miles and 17:08 for 5k. Her best national placement was eighth in the two mile at NBNO this past spring, where she also ran her personal best time.
So excited to announce that I've committed to Furman! Can't wait to be a Paladin and be coached by this amazing lady pic.twitter.com/U9aTBVySzn
-- Emma Grace Hurley (@emmagracehurley) September 22, 2015Hurley said she considered Furman and the University of Georgia.
"It was a hard decision, but ultimately Furman was a better fit for me because I felt like I connected with everyone in the athletic department, I loved the campus, and I think it's the best opportunity for me to be academically successful, also," she said. "But both teams have super nice girls, and I enjoyed both visits. It was a hard decision because UGA was my dream since freshman year, but I'm really excited about Furman!"
The senior has recorded two victories and one runner-up finish this fall, with her most recent race a 17:23 win at the Warpath Invitational. Last fall, she swept the regular season before winning her state meet and placed seventh at Foot Locker South to qualify for California.
"This XC season, I want to PR, hopefully make it back to Foot Locker Nationals, and I'm hoping that my team wins our area meet," she said.
Expect to see Hurley focus on the long distance events - 5k and 10k - at Furman. She hopes to race at least one 5k on the track this spring before graduation.
The most convenient part?
She won't even have to change mascots - the Paladin is the mascot for both Fellowship Christian School and Furman University.
