Ryleigh Budsock (‘27) was nominated for the athlete spotlight, which focuses on cross country for September. 

Ryleigh started running cross country in the fall of her seventh grade year for Rosa Middle School. Previous to that season, she was a track and field athlete, specializing in sprinting, with her main event being the 400-meter dash. Her interest in cross country was inspired by her older brother, Joe Budsock, who had competed in the seasons prior. 

After running in that season, she fell in love with the sport and never looked back. She updated her track and field event to longer distances, such as the 3200-meter and 1600-meter races. She also ran winter track for Cherry Hill High School East, specializing in distance once again. In all three seasons; cross country, winter track, and spring track, Ryleigh has acquired varsity letters, demonstrating how dominant she is in her field.

Coach Christine Mason, taking the role of the girls cross country coach for her third year, explains that she loves to see the girls develop their talent themselves through their hard work and see their efforts shine through in their meet performances.

Ryleigh has shown an amazing work ethic through these past two seasons at East, and that effort has paid off in her phenomenal times at her meets. Her freshman year, she had a personal record of 20:27 in the 5000-meter run. This time set her goal for her sophomore year at sub 20 minutes. However, this goal did not go unconquered for long. In Ryleigh’s first meet of her sophomore year, she ran an astounding time of 19:49, crushing her previously-set goal. Ryleigh is one of two sophomore female runners with a time of under 20 minutes in the 5000m. Ryleigh has now set a new bar for herself at a 19:30 minute 5k, proving her ambition and determination for the sport. 

Being a spotlight athlete is more than just numbers; it is also about being a team player and having a positive attitude. These features are perfectly seen through Ryleigh. 

“I never see her complaining. She is always present at practices, even through the grueling summer practices, she is there. She always has a smile on her face and is always willing to help the team progress, not only just herself but moving the team to get to states,” said Coach Mason.

In such a physically demanding sport, Ryleigh finds a reason to smile, which comes easy as she says “everyone’s supporting everybody.”

Ryleigh Budsock has achieved great success in her cross country career thus far and is predicted to do so in her future seasons at East. Skill, positivity, and tenacity are traits that are perfectly seen in Ryleigh through her remarkable times and ever-smiling nature.