Distance running phenom Ruth White of Orono High School has decided to change directions with her college plans.
Instead of running Division I cross country and track at Boise State University next year, the three-time New England cross country champion will be competing in Durham, New Hampshire, with the UNH Wildcats.
White’s decision came on the heels of sudden staff turnover at Boise State, in which the Broncos parted ways with head distance running coach Corey Ihmels on March 26.
White signed her national letter of intent with Boise State University on November 16, but was granted permission to decommit due to the coaching change. She made her commitment to run for coaches Robert Hoppler and Casey Carroll at UNH last week.
“The coaching change was the reason for my decision to attend UNH,” White said. “The coaches and athletes at UNH are very supportive and positive, and the engineering program is really great. I’m excited for the academic and athletic opportunities at UNH.”
In 22 years as a women’s cross country coach at UNH and the University of Vermont, Hoppler’s teams have posted 21 top-4 finishes in the America East, including five conference championships at UNH from 2013 to 2017.
In the classroom, White plans on studying mechanical engineering at UNH, and is interested in designing prosthetics after college.
For now, the 4-foot-8 standout will keep her focus on the outdoor track and field season, in which the Red Riots are favored to repeat as Class C state champions, and White will likely win her second consecutive Maine Gatorade Track and Field Player of the Year Award.
This past fall, White also set the all-time 5-kilometer state record (16:56.9) at the Festival of Champions in Belfast, finished sixth at the Foot Locker Cross Country Nationals in San Diego, and won her third consecutive Maine Gatorade Cross Country Player of the Year Award.
