Gillett grads eager to continue success at college level
Gillett Secondary School graduates Ryann Wagner and Angela Mosconi are both set to run cross-country and track and field at the college level.
Wagner will join the UW-Eau Claire programs, while Mosconi goes to Ripon College.
“I am super excited to be running track and cross-country at the college level,” said Wagner. “It will be a bit of a change, since I will be running indoor track in the winter instead of playing basketball. Running cross-country and track is year-round, but I’m excited for this new change. I am excited to continue doing what I love — running. This is such a great opportunity, and I am so blessed to be able to continue running through college.”
“It means a lot to me to be preparing to run for a college team,” said Mosconi. “When I started running cross-country, I didn’t see myself ever becoming a college athlete, but over the past few years, it has become part of my college experience that I am looking forward to. I grew to love running, and I am happy to be able to continue competing in college.”
The path to college athletics was different for each runner.
Wagner had been receiving letters from college teams throughout high school before determining she wanted to run in college as a junior.
She had a number of places she could have gone before landing on Eau Claire.
“I choose UWEC because it was a perfect fit running-wise and, more importantly, school-wise,” said Wagner. “I was a little unsure on my major, and UWEC had a great program in both of the majors I was looking at. When I visited, I felt like I was at home at UWEC; I loved it there. I am excited to be on a very successful team that will push me to get better every day, as well.”
Mosconi used Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) to get her name out there before coaches and teams began contacting her.
“As I narrowed down my college search, I visited the schools I was interested in and fell in love with Ripon,” said Mosconi. “During cross-country season this past year, coach (Corey) Bins actually showed up to a couple of my meets. He let me know he was coming to the first one but surprised me at the meet in Pulaski. I think that his dedication to recruits is unique, and it was neat to see him at those meets.”
Wagner began her high school career at Suring High School, where she immediately began piling up top finishes in cross-country and track. She began running for Gillett as a sophomore and continued to be one of the area’s top runners.
It was all fairly smooth sailing for Wagner until she sustained an injury, then things got a little complicated.
“I was a little nervous that my injury would affect my recruiting process, but I am very lucky that it didn’t,” said Wagner. “I think having the goal of collegiate sports in mind kept me going through my rehab. I am so very lucky to continue my running in college, especially with my injury.
“My coaches in high school and my college coaches have been very adapting with my running program due to my injury. I can’t wait to see what my future holds, as I think I will be even stronger now after going through my ACL injury.”
Wagner capped her high school track career with a Marinette & Oconto Conference title in the 3,200-meter run. She went on to qualify for sectionals in the event.
Mosconi’s path to college was a little different, as she wasn’t a top runner for her team right from the onset of high school. But by the time Mosconi was a senior, she was a big part of the team’s success.
She placed third at the M&O Cross-Country Meet and second in the 1,600 at the M&O Track and Field Meet. She qualified for track sectionals in the 3,200 after winning a regional title and finished 37th at the state cross-country meet.
Both Gillett runners singled out their sophomore cross-country season as their favorite high school running memories.
The Tigers qualified for state that fall and ended the season by placing second.
“I had always dreamed of bringing home a state trophy but never really thought it would happen,” said Wagner. “I remember the exact moment when we saw we got second on the screen and the amount of joy that we all felt was just unbelievable. That is a memory that I will never forget, and I am so thankful to be a part of that team.”
“It was my first time experiencing the state meet, and I thought it was amazing,” said Mosconi. “I got a PR (personal record) at the race that lasted until this past cross-country season. My sophomore year in general was a turning point for me because I learned my race rhythm and started turning into the runner I am now.”
Both Wagner and Mosconi said that their interactions with their future teams have been top-notch so far, and that they were each excited to begin their college careers.