.png)
Get to Know St. Bonaventure University Distance Runner, Adria Magnusson
Name: Adria Magnusson
Hometown: Ridgway, Pennsylvania
High School: Ridgway Area High School
Sports: Cheerleading, Cross Country, and Track and Field
High School Accolades: 11-time varsity letter winner, state qualifier in all three sports, District 9 champion in competitive cheerleading, seventh in the state in competitive cheerleading in a co-op with Johnsonburg Area High School, captain in all three sports, NCA All-American in cheerleading, small bore rifle state qualifier, member of the gifted program, and an inductee into the National Honor Society
College: St. Bonaventure University. St. Bonaventure University is a private, Fransiscan institution located in St. Bonaventure, New York. They are members of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Bonnies is the official mascot of St. Bonaventure Athletics. Why She Chose St. Bonaventure: “Being at St. Bonaventure means being a part of a tight-knit community just like home gave me. I know several of my teammates because several District 9 alumni have run here or are running here alongside me now. Coach Mac (Bob Macfarlane) is also a District 9 native himself and is from Bradford. I first visited the school through the gifted program and I loved it then. But even after not being here for a few years and visiting again, I got that same feeling. It’s a special community to be a part of.”
Major and Future Plans: Health Sciences major with plans to earn a master’s degree and then head to medical school somewhere in the region.
College Accolades: Set the program’s outdoor record for the 800 meters (2:21.68), set new indoor school records in both the 400 (1:01.92) and 800 meters (2:26.47), part of a record setting relay in the 4x400m both indoor and outdoor, six-time Atlantic 10 qualifier, three year member of the cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field programs, has recorded the most community service hours of any St. Bonaventure women’s student-athlete, Dean’s List student, and Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll honoree
Favorite Athletic Memories: Qualifying for states in four different sports, finishing second in District 9 in the 4x400m relay and qualifying for states with a foursome that was a massive underdog going into the district meet, and being crowned an Elk County Invitational individual champion in the 1600m
Her Support System: “I’ve been blessed with amazing parents and two younger brothers. They rarely miss any race of mine; even though some of them in the Atlantic 10 are really far away like the one we had at the University of Rhode Island. I also am appreciative of all the high school coaches, trainers, and teachers I’ve had over my athletic career. Jake Mercer was one of my distance coaches in high school and he was always very helpful and supportive of me reaching my goals and the college level. My grandfather John Costion was also my first running coach and one of my biggest inspirations for trying out the sport of running.” Message for Other Athletes: “It’s okay to pick up other sports and hobbies. You don’t only have to do your sport and schoolwork. I play three instruments and try to also find a little bit of time for a social life. It’s okay to start and stop things and pick them back up again when you need and have time. What Growing Up in a Small Town PA Has Instilled in Her: “It’s made me a lot more appreciative and thankful for the opportunities I’ve had in my life. It’s taught me the importance of community and how much everyone’s support means since you know almost everyone in town. It’s also taught me how to be resourceful and an opportunity is better than not having one. I was a part of a cheerleading co-op as a senior and even though we were rivals before merging into one team, it was such a great experience. I’m grateful to be from a tight-knit area like Elk County.”
Comments