Nydia (Marcella) Perez '17 Recruiting Profile

My name is Marcella Perez and I am currently a senior and student-athlete at Oak Hall School in Gainesville, FL. I have been competing in Cross Country, Soccer, and Track and Field every year for the past 8 years of my life. Over the past year, I’ve been considering which sport to pursue in college, and that is when running started to take precedence. 

Because of this, my parents decided to transfer me my senior year from St. Francis Catholic Catholic High School, which I attended my first three years, to Oak Hall School. This transfer was made primarily so that I may be enrolled in more challenging classes and be able to compete on a very competitive team. 

This has proved to be successful, as I have seen nothing but improvement. During my cross country season, I dropped my PR from a 20:06 to a 19:40 for a 5k. I placed 9th overall in the FHSAA 1A Cross Country Championship and my girls team placed first in Districts, Regionals, and eventually State Champions. 

I am currently competing in my final Track and Field season, and I never expected to see my times drop as rapidly as they have been. My mile time, from a 5:29 to a 5:18 within the first two meets, my two-mile time from a 11:48 to an 11:40 in the first meet, and my 800 time from a 2:30 to a 2:24 in my first meet as well. It is still early in the season and I expect my times to continue dropping as I have set high personal goals for myself that I am confident in with my training and coaching staff. My coach, Edwin McTureous, won the 2016 Coach of the Year at the state level in the sports of Cross Country and Girls Track & Field by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

I am determined to run at the collegiate level because I know I am capable of fulfilling the role on a cross country and/or track team that any coach may ask of me. I have a mindset that forces me to never give up and to never quit on my coach or team. I have an undying commitment to my team and the hard work necessary to fulfill the team’s aspirations.