Gottwalt signs letter of intent for Hillsdale College
Grace Gottwalt (center), a senior at Ridgewood High School and the daughter of Mike and Stacey Gottwalt, has signed her letter of intent to run track for Hillsdale College in Michigan. (Submitted)
Grace Gottwalt, a senior at Ridgewood High School and the daughter of Mike and Stacey Gottwalt, has signed her letter of intent to run track for Hillsdale College in Michigan.
Her event is hurdles. “When I was in seventh grade, I decided to try track, not knowing anything about it. I remember our coach telling us to decide what we wanted to try and for some reason, I decided to try hurdles,” Grace said. “I just kept working on them and got better.”
While she wasn’t able to have a traditional signing ceremony that would include her teammates and lots of family, her athletic director set up a small ceremony for her. “It was just my family, track coach and athletic director,” Grace said. “We couldn’t really celebrate, but in the long run, it’s okay. I’m still going to get to run track and I’m excited.”
Grace said she visited a lot of colleges last summer, including many that were a long way from home. “I just really liked Hillsdale when I went last summer and then I spent an overnight there in October. It’s a beautiful campus and the people are super nice. And the track team is very excited to have recruits.”
“It offers a top notch education, too,” she said. “They teach you to think more than just lessons. They teach you how to think – they want you to think for yourself and to keep an open mind to new ideas. I really like that.”
Grace also is excited about the alumni network and internships that the college offers. She plans to study politics and then attend law school after she graduates from Hillsdale.
Grace said she doesn’t personally know anyone attending Hillsdale, but that she found an Instagram account for incoming freshmen so she can start talking to a people.
“I’m a little nervous about going, but not really,” she said. “Everyone heading to college wonders if they will fit in and find friends. Being on the track team will help me, I’m sure.”
Being just far enough away from home was also a plus for Hillsdale.
“I’m far enough away to live my own life, but I’m close enough to come home when I want to,” Grace said.
She is most looking forward to continuing her education.
“I want to learn things that will help my career,” Grace said. “And I’m excited to meet people from all over the country and to be part of the track team and compete on a collegiate level.”
“I’m so thankful for the support from my family, friends, coaches and the community. They have all helped me develop into the person I am today and I’m looking forward to the next four years.”
Category: High School, Sports
