On Thursday, May 7, 2015, Central Bucks West seniors Andrew Baker, Joe Brill and Beckett Wilson were recognized at a special news conference for committing to compete in track at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Andrew Baker – University of Vermont (Track & Cross Country)
Major: Environmental Engineering with a minor in Art
Final list of colleges: Vermont, Lehigh, Pitt, University of Delaware
Reasons for choosing Vermont: “Vermont has been the frontrunner for most of my college search. When I visited the school, I fell in love with it. The atmosphere there is so cool, and they’re really innovative with their environmental (program). It’s where I want to be.”
What was the progression that led you to running at the collegiate level? “It’s always been a dream of mine to run in college, but it hasn’t been truly realized until just this year when my times started to improve. I got in touch with some college coaches, and they said I should have no problem making the team.”
Coach Greg Wetzel says: “Andrew is running at the University of Vermont, and he is just a great story. He was a sprinter and a hurdler initially, and he ran cross country to get better at those two things, to be better in a double or triple or a day when we needed him to do four events. He’s just a really coachable kid, and it started there. Once he ran cross country, he developed a love for distance running, and now he’s one of the best middle distance runners in our league. In the state, he was in the top 50 in the 800 meters, so he’s very, very good in a very competitive event. To be able to be among the best in our league is very impressive. He’s very, very good in a competitive event.”
About Andrew:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: Prefontaine
Favorite music: Jazz
Joe Brill – East Stroudsburg University (Track)
Major: Athletic Training
Final list of colleges: East Stroudsburg, West Chester
Reasons for choosing East Stroudsburg: “I’m going to East Stroudsburg because I’m majoring in athletic training, and they have a really great program up there. I met with the coach and a few guys on the team when I was up there visiting, and I fell in love with the coach and team members, so I decided it would be a great place to run. East Stroudsburg struck a place in my heart real fast.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “When I started in track real early on, I always thought college sports would be the coolest thing to get into, so as I started getting better and better, the hopes and dreams started getting a little closer and closer. When I found the place, it was real nice to get into.”
Coach Greg Wetzel says: “Joe Brill is a 400-meter runner, and he’s going to East Stroudsburg University and is going to run there. He hit district qualifying both last year and this year in the open 400, and that’s tough to do. Joe has always been good, but his confidence is the main thing that has come a long way. It was exciting to see him as a senior where he was leading and was a kid who was pretty confident in his ability to perform. Even last year he individually qualified, which is tough to do, but I don’t think he had the confidence to back up what his body was able to deliver. That’s what we saw from him this year. He really developed a lot more confidence. It was really great to see, and knowing he’s going to keep on competing and keep on developing is exciting too because I think as he continues to become even more confident than he is now, I think he will continue to drop a lot of time. He has a lot of potential.”
About Joe:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift
Favorite music: EDM
Beckett Wilson – University of Tampa (Track & Cross Country)
Major: Finance
Final list of colleges: Tampa, College of Charleston, Florida Southern
Reasons for choosing Tampa: “It started out in cross country when I started the college search. They were a school that expressed the most interest in me, and once I visited and met the coaches it was kind of a no-brainer.”
What was the progression that led you to running at the collegiate level? “Soccer was the biggest sport in my life up until my sophomore year when I decided to go out for cross country, and I just fell in love with it. I progressed really fast, which was a key thing that made me love it more. I didn’t really decide I wanted to run in college until the end of my junior year when it got really serious and I was thinking about the next step in my life.”
Coach Greg Wetzel says: “Beckett will attend the University of Tampa. He’s a middle distance runner, and he runs the 4x800, the mile and two-mile. I actually had Beckett in class, and it’s always nice have a kid in class that you only see as an athlete and then you get to see them in the classroom too. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know him more.
“Beckett is a loyal teammate who is a student of the sport. He loves distance running. I am delighted he has found a school where he is able to continue his favorite pursuit.”
About Beckett:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite music: “I listen to a lot of hip hop and classic rock, but I like Jack Johnson a lot.”
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