Lillibridge to continue track career at Muskingum University

Josey Lillibridge, center, signed her letter of intent to throw shot and disc at Muskingum University on March 31 at Ridgewood High School. At her left is her stepfather Ed Huff and at her right is her mom Michelle Huff. Lillibridge is a senior at Ridgewood.

WEST LAFAYETTE – When Josey Lillibridge was in seventh grade she was determined to be a sprinter, but is really glad she quickly switched to throwing shot and disc.

“When I was in seventh grade my brother was in eighth grade and he was a sprinter,” she said. “I said I was going to run the 100 meter dash and my mom and stepdad said maybe I should throw. I did it anyways and said never again. All my work on throwing ended up paying off. When I was a sophomore I decided I really wanted to do this in college and now I get to.”

Lillibridge signed her letter of intent to throw shot and disc at Muskingum University on March 31 at Ridgewood High School, where she is a senior.

“At first I really wanted to go to Tiffin, but it’s two and a half hours away and family is a big part of my life,” she said. “I have a lot of younger siblings so I wanted to be close to home so I can make it to as much of their stuff as possible. The coaches at Muskingum are great too and their program seems to have a really hard work ethic.”

Lillibridge thanked Coach Marty Feldner, her mom and stepdad Michelle and Ed Huff and father Bryan Lillibridge for helping her get to the next level.

“They supported me and pushed me to work hard,” Josey said. “I also have to thank my friends Abby Powers, Rochelle Burgan and Hanna Lucas for their support as well. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them either.”

She also expressed appreciation for Jared Lindig who taught her the Ridgewood Rules of Throwing.

“He took me under his wing freshman year and decided one day at practice that I was acting like too much of a girl so we came up with these rules,” Josey said. “The first one is that throwing comes first. Number two is being a girl comes second. Three is Jared and Blake are the best. Four is respect the disc and five is respect the shot. I already passed them on to Jared’s little sister this year. I really like throwing because you don’t have to run and there is a technical process to it. If one thing is off then everything is off.”

Feldner, who is the throwing coach for the girls and boys at Ridgewood, was very happy for Josey.

“She’s an excellent athlete and student and a hard worker,” he said. “She will really be a great asset for Muskingum.”

Head track coach Darrell Ball agreed with Feldner.

“She is very dependable and good at working with others and helping them,” Ball said.

Michelle said she was super excited for her daughter.

“I’m glad she is going to be close to home and we will be able to get to her meets,” Michelle said. “Her younger siblings are excited too because she will get to come home. Josey and her little sister are especially close. There are 10 years between them, but you would never know it.”

Josey plans to major in criminal justice and minor in psychology.

Category: High School, Sports