Emily (Emma) Ashley’s journey from a middle school runner to a State Champion reflects her dedication, hard work, and self-belief. Her path shows a remarkable balance of growth in both academics and athletics, inspiring students and athletes alike. As she prepares to head to the University of South Carolina, her story continues to motivate those around her.
Cross Country has inspired many teenagers around the world, especially Westwood High School’s Student-Athlete Emma Ashley. She participated in the Class 5A Division II girls’ Cross Country championship race on the morning of November 21, 2024, at The Farm Cross Country course. Ashley ran a time of 18 minutes 46.55 scoring a first-place finish.
She expressed how special the moment was for her saying “It was very exciting because it was the first state championship I won individually.”
Ashley was inspired to start running after joining a run club in the 6th grade. In the 7th grade Ashley reached out to Westwood’s Cross Country Coach, Brice Mann, telling him she wanted to join the team. Once she joined the team in 7th grade this marked the start of a six-year cross-country career, all of that dedication paid off when she earned a scholarship to run at the University of South Carolina.
Ashley also shared advice for younger athletes urging them not to compare themselves to others reflecting on her own journey she explained, “I would look at the paper of all of the other rankings and their times that they would run compared to mine.”
Additionally, Ashley’s story inspires younger athletes by reminding them that success comes not from comparing themselves to others but from focusing on their growth and progress and believing in themselves.
Not only does Ashley excel in athletics, but she is also highly involved in academics and leadership at the Castle. She is a member of the National Honors Society and serves as President of the Spanish Honor Society.
As President of the Spanish Honors Society, she helped with fundraising efforts, saying “We passed out candy with quotes on them for Spanish Heritage Month” Emma’s dedication to both her studies and community is just another example of the hard work and commitment she puts to everything she does.
Emma Ashley’s remarkable journey in Cross Country shows the power of hard work determination and believing in yourself. Ashley’s victory at the Class 5A Division II Girls’ Cross Country Championship is a reflection of years of dedication starting with her decision to join Cross Country in the 7th grade, then continuing through her six years on the Westwood High School Cross Country team.
