Toledo signed Aoife Coffey, Gabrielle Phelan, and Lauren Zanotelli to National Letters of Intent this week.
Toledo Inks Three on National Signing Day
11/9/2023 12:30:00 PM | Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field
Rockets sign two international student-athletes and one Ohio native for next year’s cross country and track & field season
TOLEDO, Ohio – Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Andrea Grove-McDonough announced the addition of three student-athletes to the women's cross country and track & field program this week. The three student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent for the 2024-25 academic year.
The following is a look at Toledo's 2024-25 recruiting class:
Aoife Coffey
Dublin, Ireland | Coláiste Cois Life | University of College Dublin
Aoife Coffee is a graduate transfer from the University of College Dublin and was the winner of the 2023 Dublin Novice 5K Road Championships. Last season, Coffey finished seventh in the Senior Novi National Cross Country Championships and the Leinster Senior 3,000m champion. She secured a national medal in the 5,00m race at the 2020 National Junior Track & Field Championships. Coffey has represented her homeland in the European Mountain Running Championships, the International Uner 18 Youth Cup, SIABSÂ Schools International 3,000m, and the British and Irish Under 17 Mountian Running Championships.Â
Why Toledo? "I have been following the cross country team at the University of Toledo for a while now and finally decided to reach out with the hope that I might get the opportunity to join such a successful and up-and-coming team. I knew from my first call at the University of Toledo would be a great fit for me, and I was excited about the potential of joining the team. Academically, the University of Toledo has everything I am looking for -- excellent facilities, faculty, and research being carried out at the university. I am excited to continue my academic and athletic career as a Rocket!"
Coffey's PR's
3,000m – 9:47
5,000m – 16:55
Gabrielle "Gabby" Phelan
Birkenhead, United Kingdom | Upton Hall School
Gabby Phelan qualified for the European Athletics U18 Track & Field Championships, was the 2023 Welsh International Champion, and the 2022 U18 Euro Great Britain Runner in the 2,000m steeplechase. Additionally, she was the 1,500m steeple chase English School Athletic Champion in 2023 and the School Games Champion in 2022.
Why Toledo? "I chose the University of Toledo because I liked the coaches and the environment they had been creating within the team. They were very helpful and informative, answering my questions and making me feel at ease straight away. I also liked the look of the engineering course, particularly the mandatory co-op as it will give me vital workplace experience."
Phelan's PR's
1,500m – 4:29
2,000m steeplechase – 6:46
Lauren Zanotelli
Miamisburg, Ohio | Miamisburg High School
Lauren Zanotelli is a four-sport athlete from Miamisburg High School in cross country track & field, soccer, and gymnastics. She received first-team All-Ohio and All-CWOC honors. Additionally, Zanotelli was named MHS Most Valuable Player and Athlete of the Month and received a Jeff Schmidt Athlete of the Week recognition.
Why Toledo? "I chose the University of Toledo because of the incredibly welcoming invite the team and the coaches provided when I visited. When I was on my visit all the girls on the team made me feel welcomed and they were all some of the nicest girls I've met. I also chose Toledo because of their amazing accomplishments as a team."
Zanotelli's PR's
1,500m – 5:00
3,200m – 10:42
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The following is a look at Toledo's 2024-25 recruiting class:
Aoife Coffey
Dublin, Ireland | Coláiste Cois Life | University of College Dublin
Aoife Coffee is a graduate transfer from the University of College Dublin and was the winner of the 2023 Dublin Novice 5K Road Championships. Last season, Coffey finished seventh in the Senior Novi National Cross Country Championships and the Leinster Senior 3,000m champion. She secured a national medal in the 5,00m race at the 2020 National Junior Track & Field Championships. Coffey has represented her homeland in the European Mountain Running Championships, the International Uner 18 Youth Cup, SIABSÂ Schools International 3,000m, and the British and Irish Under 17 Mountian Running Championships.Â
Why Toledo? "I have been following the cross country team at the University of Toledo for a while now and finally decided to reach out with the hope that I might get the opportunity to join such a successful and up-and-coming team. I knew from my first call at the University of Toledo would be a great fit for me, and I was excited about the potential of joining the team. Academically, the University of Toledo has everything I am looking for -- excellent facilities, faculty, and research being carried out at the university. I am excited to continue my academic and athletic career as a Rocket!"
Coffey's PR's
3,000m – 9:47
5,000m – 16:55
Gabrielle "Gabby" Phelan
Birkenhead, United Kingdom | Upton Hall School
Gabby Phelan qualified for the European Athletics U18 Track & Field Championships, was the 2023 Welsh International Champion, and the 2022 U18 Euro Great Britain Runner in the 2,000m steeplechase. Additionally, she was the 1,500m steeple chase English School Athletic Champion in 2023 and the School Games Champion in 2022.
Why Toledo? "I chose the University of Toledo because I liked the coaches and the environment they had been creating within the team. They were very helpful and informative, answering my questions and making me feel at ease straight away. I also liked the look of the engineering course, particularly the mandatory co-op as it will give me vital workplace experience."
Phelan's PR's
1,500m – 4:29
2,000m steeplechase – 6:46
Lauren Zanotelli
Miamisburg, Ohio | Miamisburg High School
Lauren Zanotelli is a four-sport athlete from Miamisburg High School in cross country track & field, soccer, and gymnastics. She received first-team All-Ohio and All-CWOC honors. Additionally, Zanotelli was named MHS Most Valuable Player and Athlete of the Month and received a Jeff Schmidt Athlete of the Week recognition.
Why Toledo? "I chose the University of Toledo because of the incredibly welcoming invite the team and the coaches provided when I visited. When I was on my visit all the girls on the team made me feel welcomed and they were all some of the nicest girls I've met. I also chose Toledo because of their amazing accomplishments as a team."
Zanotelli's PR's
1,500m – 5:00
3,200m – 10:42
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