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At East, Onweller set school records in the 1600 relay and 3200 relay. This year at Ferris, she set the school record in the 3000-m steeplechase. She is attending Ferris on a track and cross country scholarship.

Onweller just completed her freshman year at Ferris and admitted it was a tough transition to conquer.

"My first year at college was quite an experience with some rough times and some great times," Onweller said. "The running up there was quite a change for me. The training is much more demanding than I imagined, but I have grown to love the demands and have grown into a much better runner physically and mentally thanks to my coaches at Ferris."

She added the work ethic is more intense in college as she switched from running 30 miles a week to running 70 to 75 miles. Right now, Onweller is doing 45-50 miles a week and expected to be up to 70 miles by August. She is also planning on running three road races this summer.

Last year her track season progressed well as she set the school record.

"We traveled to great schools for some intense competition and warm weather such as the University of Tennessee and North Carolina State University," Onweller said. "Needless to say the demands made me no longer fear the competition of a race, but to embrace it to drive me farther."

She noted the steeplechase is probably the most intense race, but it's one she truly enjoys.

"You run 200 meters shy of two miles," Onweller said. "And in every lap, you jump upon a hurdle in which lies a massive water pit beneath it. Oftentimes, people may fall.

"Which I did a few times as a newcomer to the event."

Along with the water pit, steeplechase racers also have to contend with immovable hurdles throughout the rest of the race. Onweller said she ended up loving the race--so much so that she broke Ferris' school record, made third team all conference in the school's college division and came close to qualifying for nationals in California.

This fall she will take her nuclear classes and continue to progress on the cross country team, upon which she was fourth runner on the varsity traveling team last year. She also wants to go to nationals to compete in the steeplechase in track.

This fall she will begin classes in nuclear medicine technology, which is an an accelerated program. Onweller hopes to have her bachelor's degree in by the time she's 21.

Until then, she'll keep on running and chasing that goal.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.