While Hollywood has its “Magnificent Seven”, the Woodrow Wilson cross country team has its own “Magnificent Six.”
Seniors Collette Lindley, Ashton Evans, Connor Cormack, James Grayton, Christian Saffouri and Stanley Martin have led the Flying Eagles to regional and state success over their four years of high school.
Now the “Magnificent Six” have decided to continue to compete in the sport they love.
Earlier this month, surrounded by family, friends, teammates and coaches, all six standout harriers signed their National Letters of Intent to run at the collegiate level.
“This is the largest signing class that we have had since I starting coaching here in 2017. I am really thrilled that the kids want to continue the sport that they did throughout high school,” Woodrow Wilson head cross country coach George Barbera said. “All of the kids ran cross country, as well as track and field all four years here at Woodrow. They stuck with it and they all improved throughout their career.”
Over their four-year career, the six seniors have led Woodrow Wilson to regional dominance and have made the Flying Eagles a contender each year at the state meet.
The girls have won the Region 3 title all four years that Lindley and Evans have been on the team, while the boys have raised the regional plaque three out of four years.
“I guess we are doing something right. We have terrific administration and teachers at Woodrow Wilson. The coaching staff brings positive energy to practice everyday and the kids feed off that,” Barbera said. “We create an atmosphere where they can motivate themselves and that is what they continue to do.”
Lindley will take her running talent to Division I Loyola University Maryland where she will major in Global Studies with a Pre-law focus.
“I never thought that I would be running in college and I never thought I would be a DI athlete one day,” Lindley said. “I am so glad that all of my teammates are joining me for this day. I have never seen so many seniors on one team move on with their career. I know everyone is going to do great.”
A member of the National Honor Society and a four year varsity letterman, Lindley explained why Loyola was the prefect place for her to attend college.
“My aunt went there and it is really close to where my grandparents live. I visited it this past summer and as soon as I stepped on the campus, I felt like that is where I wanted to be,” Lindley said. “It is a Jesuit-Catholic school and I have been raised Catholic. That was a really important value for me. When I met with the team on my official visit they told me that I blended right in. They were excited to have me and I really felt welcome there.”
Lindley was the 2020 Region 3 champion in cross country, as well as the regional champion in the 3200 and 1600-meter runs as a freshman and again as a junior.
Cormack and Grayton will be attending Concord University.
“I have ran all four years and I have really enjoyed my time with the team. I have enjoyed being a leader for the team the last two years,” Cormack said. “Concord has been the fit for me ever since I visited and talked with (head) Coach (Mike) Cox. I like the atmosphere and I like the business program. My sister goes there too, so it will be fun to go back to school with her again.”
While Cormack was a dominant runner his four years, Grayton didn’t begin to shine until he was a senior. Grayton’s transformation over his four years is one that had made coach Barbera very proud.
“I never liked running until I tried cross country. I wasn’t that good and every year I was last on the team. I got sick of being last on the team and it was embarrassing,” Grayton explained. “The summer of my junior year, I told myself I was going to get focused. I lost almost 100 pounds and trained all summer. I made varsity for the first time and ran my personal best as a senior. I love cross country and I can’t wait to run in college.”
Ashton Evans and Stanley Martin are bound for Buckhannon to run at West Virginia Wesleyan.
Signing with the Bobcats was really pleasing for Evans who never thought such a day would come for her.
“I am very excited to be signing with West Virginia Wesleyan today. George has really pushed me and helped me work hard to get to a place where I could run in college,” Evans said. “When I started my freshman year I had no idea I would eventually be signing in college.”
Evans is a member of the National Honor Society and is top-10 in her graduating class. She has also been a varsity letterman all four years.
Martin, who will start school as a Pre-med major was taken by the atmosphere at Wesleyan.
“It was small knit community that was really friendly. That was the major reason that I chose Wesleyan,” Martin said. “I feel like this is a great opportunity and something that will benefit me the rest of my life. I am excited for the journey to come.”
The future Bobcat is also a member of the National Honor Society and ran all four years of high school.
Saffouri is also a four year letterman and a member of the National Honor Society. The AFJROTC Senior Master Sargent chose to stay a little closer to home, but did so based on his academic field of choice.
“I have been accepted into the Electrical Engineering program at WVU Tech,” Saffouri said. “I have talked to coach Dan Nehnevaj and the team overall seems amazing. It’s a very good environment for a new runner like me. I am excited to see where it goes.”
While Barbera expressed great pride in his senior group, he was quick to give credit to the parents and families of his runners.
“The kids have tremendous parental support and we have great turnouts for every race that we go to. They are excited to see their kids race,” Barbera said.