Foot Locker Finalist Ackley Signs with Liberty Track/XC

Two-time Foot Locker Cross Country national finalist and six-time Michigan state champion Adelyn Ackley has signed a national letter of intent to attend Liberty University for the 2019-20 academic year.

Ackley, a senior at Hart High School in Hart, Mich., finished 16^th at the 2018 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships after placing 10^th as a junior in 2017. She is one of only six girls to finish inside the top 20 during each of the last two Foot Locker meets.

"We are confident that Adelyn is a great fit for our program," stated Liberty Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Brant Tolsma. "She has a strong commitment to the Lord and a strong desire to excel in athletics for His glory. We're excited to see how God will use her in our program and in her life ahead." 

Ackley has captured three straight individual titles at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Cross Country Championships, leading Hart to the team championship as both a junior and senior. Her top cross country 5K clocking is 16:54.

Ackley helped Hart claim the team title at the 2018 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Track & Field Championships by placing in four events. She posted first-place finishes in the 3,200 and 4 x 800 relay, took second in the 1,600 and placed sixth in the 800.

Ackley, who won her first state championship (3,200 meters) as a freshman in 2016, owns track personal bests of 2:14.37 in the 800, 4:54.31 in the 1,600 and 10:13.37 in the 3,200. She ranked No. 16 on Track & Field News' national high school girls combined 3,200/2-mile list for 2018, including fourth among juniors.

"We are very excited to have Adelyn joining the Flames' family," added Liberty Interim Head Cross Country Coach Rebekah Ricksecker. "She has incredible talent and work ethic, and we believe she will fit in perfectly with Liberty's mission and our team culture."