MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan cross country team has announced the addition of one dozen newcomers ahead of the approaching 2023 season, with 11 of the 12 also joining NMU's track & field roster. 


Isabella Beck | Shelby Township, Mich. | Eisenhower High School
Beck was a Second Team All-County and All-Macomb County runner in high school, along with making the Mac Red All-Division Team. Beck will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. 

Why did you choose NMU?
They had the major I wanted, the campus is beautiful, and I had an opportunity to run. 



Attica Brandt | Stephenson, Mich. | Menominee High School 
Brandt was a three-time All-State cross country and four-time All-State track runner at Menominee. She was the Great Northern Conference champion in the 1600m run and the 1600m relay in 2021, and the Division 1 regional champion in the 1600m run in 2023. At Menominee HS, Brandt received Outstanding Female Athlete honors, the Barbara Silverthorne Memorial Award (Outstanding senior athlete), and the Bobby Anderson Award (character/kindness in athletics). Brandt will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Art & Design. 

Why did you choose NMU?
I felt a connection to the coaches and the team when I visited NMU. It felt like home and I also love Marquette! 




Petra Foote | Rapid City, Mich. | Grand Traverse Academy
Foote received MHSAA Division 4 All-State honors in 2021 and 2022 running for Grand Traverse Academy. Foote will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Social Work. 

Why did you choose NMU?
I fell in love with the environment and the school's culture - it felt the most like home! As well, NMU offered the flexibility and affordability that I needed to reach my degree.




Lamar Gordon | Two Harbors, Minn. | Two Harbors High School 
On the track, Gordon was two-time All-State in the 4x800 relay (x2), the Mile, and the 4x400 relay. She received All-Conference honors multiple times in each of the three events as well as earning section champion multiple times in each. In cross country, she was named All-Conference in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Gordon will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Environmental Studies.

Why did you choose NMU?
I liked the location, the team and coaches, and my academic department. 




Endla Harris | Marquette, Mich. | Negaunee High School
Harris made the cross country Dream Team in 2019 and 2022 and the First Team in all four seasons. On the track, Harris was All-State in the 3200m from 2021-2023 and All-State in the 1600m in 2021 and 2022. Harris will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Psychology. 

Why did you choose NMU?
I decided to attend NMU because it's a school that provides plenty of academic and recreation opportunities.




Regan Hill | Cadillac, Mich. | Cadillac High School
Hill was named All-Conference and All-Region in cross country and All-Conference in track. She was a part of the track regional team championship. Hill will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Political Science.

Why did you choose NMU?
The Marquette area is beautiful and full of things to do outdoors. From my visit, I could tell that the coaches and team created a fun but competitive atmosphere that I knew I wanted to be a part of.




Amelia Kashian | Brighton, Mich. | Brighton High School
Kashian was a three-time cross country and track All-Conference selection in high school. She was also named All-Region in cross country and track (x3). Kashian finished with All-State honors on the track, taking fifth in the Division 1 state finals in the 4x800. Kashian will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Multimedia Journalism. 

Why did you choose NMU?
The environment was so peaceful and welcoming when I visited. The views are stunning, the team is closely bonded, and the campus immediately felt like home.


   

Lana Mac | South Lyon, Mich. | South Lyon High School 
On the track, Mac received All-State honors in the 4x800 with Michigan Racers. Mac was named Lakes Valley All-Conference in track & field from 2021-2023 and in cross country from 2021-2022. She was also selected as All-Region in the 400m on the track in 2022 and 2023. Mac will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Art & Design. 

Why did you choose NMU?
I decided to come to NMU because I loved the emphasis of getting outside your comfort zone and exploring the outdoors. I absolutely love the up-north vibe Northern gives me. I also love the Art & Design building and the program. 




Ava Maginity | Boyne City, Mich. | Boyne City High School
Maginity earned All-State, All-Conference, and All-Region from 2019-2023 in cross country. In track & field, she was named All-State in 2023 (1600m and 800m), All-Conference in 2022 and 2023, and All-Region from 2021-2023. Maginity also earned All-Conference and All-Region recognition in soccer in 2021. She was named the 2023 Boyne City Female Athlete of the Year. Maginity will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Nursing. 

Why did you choose NMU?
I thought that NMU was a great academic and athletic experience as well as life experiences for me. The outdoors have no comparison to any other colleges in Michigan. I believe great people come out of this school by the environment that it is in! 




Gianna Schubert | Livonia, Mich. | Father Gabriel Richard High School
In track, Schubert received All-State honors in the 4x800 meter relay in 2022. She was named All-Conference in 2022 and All-Region in 2022 and 2023. In cross country, Schubert was also named All-Conference and All-Region from 2020-2022. Schubert will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Biology. 

Why did you choose NMU?
The atmosphere and feel of NMU, as well as the city of Marquette is so inviting; from helpful staff at the college to friendly business owners, it is hard to find an instance in which I did not feel welcomed. The pristine and beautiful location creates an experience like no other and it further increases the depth in which I can study biology. The opportunities for growth in leadership and a future career available made me confident that this is where my path went next.  




Dani Van Lente | Marshall, Mich. | Marshall Academy
On the track, Van Lente received the 2021 Division 4 All-State award for the 3200 meter run. She earned All-Region honors from 2020-2022 in cross country. Van Lente will also be a member of the track & field team and will be majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife Management.

Why did you choose NMU?
NMU offered degrees of study that I was interested in while still being a smaller campus. I also love the outdoors so the opportunity to go to college in one of the most beautiful parts of the state drew me to Northern Michigan.




Hilary Way | Charlevoix, Mich. | Charlevoix High School
Way was All-State in the 4x800  and two-time All-Conference in high school. Way is majoring in Psychology at Northern.  

Why did you choose NMU?
The amazing trails surrounding the area.