On Feb. 2, at Fredericktown High School, Freddies track star Ashley Cockrell formally signed to continue her academic and track careers at Ashland University (AU).
With dozens of her friends and teammates in attendance, along with her coaches and Fredericktown school officials, Cockrell was supported by her family members as the hurdles all-star officially became a future member of the Eagles’ track team.
With the spring track season ahead of her at Fredericktown, Cockrell has already set multiple school records. She currently holds middle school records in the 100-meter hurdles, 200-meter hurdles and was on the 4x400-meter relay record-setting team. Cockrell also holds the 100-meter hurdles record at the high school with a time of 15.53 seconds. She has been the team MVP for two years; is a two-time academic All-Ohioan; a five-time state qualifier and a two-time indoor 60-meter hurdle All-Ohioan.
Cockrell said she has set three main goals for the upcoming track season. She wants to break the 15-second mark in the 100-meter hurdles, break the school record in the 300-meter hurdles and get on the podium at state for both events.
While at AU, Cockrell plans to major in nursing and minor in business management.
“I chose Ashland for two main reasons,” she said. “I love the nursing program they offer and it will give me the opportunity to accomplish all of my academic goals. The second reason is Coach (Eric) Evans, the AU hurdle coach. Seeing how much confidence he had in me was amazing, and I know that I can accomplish big things running for Ashland University.”
