Natalie McLean, One of the WPIAL’s Top Runners and Minds, Off to Georgetown Next Year

Natalie McLean, a native of Gibsonia and current senior at Pine Richland High School, has made her commitment to the Georgetown University Hoyas. The dual-sport star in cross country and track and field is a drive young woman of many interests and talents, including medicine.

Mainly, this is the driving force behind heading to our nations capital to continue her academic and athletic career. “Georgetown is the right fit for me because it has the perfect balance of academics and athletics,” she noted. “It is a top university that can help prepare me for med school, but also has a very talented team that is always working towards their goals. Since I am very goal oriented and I have always prioritized my academics, I felt like Georgetown was a perfect fit. I intend to major in neurobiology following the pre-med route. I want to go to medical school and become a pediatrician.”

McLean got introduced to the sport of running at an early age as her mother is also very much into the sport. Some of her first memories of running include watching her mom participate in The Great Race, a 10K run around a local park each year. From seeing her, it peaked her interest into beginning a career of her own.

Starting in middle school, running was something she began to take more seriously. Over the years, it’s become more like an obsession. She has the accolades to prove it as a state qualifier in cross country to go with numerous distinctions in track and field like a third place finish in the 3200m and a fifth place mark in the 1600m at the 2022 PIAA Track and Field State Championships. She’s also added a 2022 Foundation Invitational victory and a second-place mark at the Ohio Legends Invitational so far this year.

While she’s impressive in her sport, what she’s accomplished in the classroom and in extracurriculars is just as impressive. McLean is an inductee into the National Honors Society, has been on the highest honor roll all four-years of high school, plays the violin, is a member of her high school’s regular orchestra and chamber orchestra, is an officer of a women’s empowerment club called Spire, and is a leader of a Devotional Group at Pine Richland.

While there are many exciting races ahead in her future, her favorite to date has been running at nationals with her teammates in Alabama. Off the course and track, she always appreciates the pre-season brunches and time she has to spend with her friends and teammates.

With a few races left in cross country and a track season to go, there’s still some final lasts as a high school athlete Natalie McLean is changing. More importantly, her career as a healthcare professional is one she’s already begun chasing, too. It’s a noble career indeed and is something that will bring her heart joy once she’s ready to begin saving and improving lives.

Best of luck in your final few months of high school, Natalie! Congrats on your commitment to the Hoyas! 🧑🏻‍⚕️ 🏃🏻‍♀️