NP’s Valenti will continue career at Navy
Maidens’ career ends with record-setting performance in the 4x8
Ali Valenti’s travels are just beginning.
One of North Penn’s most decorated distance runners, Valenti is headed to the United States Naval Academy next fall, where she’ll continue her running career, both out on the cross-country course and on the track.
“It’s a really good balance between academics and athletics,” the senior said. “There’s also a lot of focus on character and camaraderie, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of that.”
Valenti logged many, many successful miles during her career as a Maiden.
She earned 12 varsity letters in her four years, an All-League selection out of the Suburban One League’s Continental Conference in both cross country and track.
Selected captain by her teammates going into her senior season, Valenti would put everything she had into making NP’s 4x800-meter relay a memorable one, and the results were record breaking.
“I’m really proud of what we accomplished,” Valenti said.
Joining Steph Bresadola, Mikaela Vlasic and Phoebe Clowser, Valenti helped make the Maiden 4x8 foursome the finest in the program’s proud
history, racing to gold at the conference championships, a silver at the District 1 Class AAA Championships and a sixth-place medal at states.
Their district time of 9:02.86 broke an 18-yearold school record and was one of the fastest times in the state this spring.
“It feels great to have helped my team and to know we became so close,” Valenti said, “and went so far.”
Navy, meanwhile, recently wrapped up its season at the East Regionals, capping off a year that included a thrilling 101-99 dual-meet victory over arch rival Army.
Valenti will be running anywhere from the 400 to the 800 to the mile when she heads to Annapolis, her versatility a tremendous asset as she moves on to the next level.
Navy’s 2015 season also included a pair of top-20 finishes at the 121st Penn Relays, where Valenti helped lead the Maidens into the 4x800 Championship of America race.
The senior went on to help North Penn win the SOL Continental title, finish third out of 46 teams at districts and third out of 75 teams at Class AAA States.