Alexis Ray was a vital part of the WHS girls track and field program throughout her high school career, and now she has brought her talent to East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Ray was a sprinter for WHS who set some all-time records and was a part of history-breaking moments for the girls track and field team. In 2024, Ray helped set the school record in the indoor 4×400 meter relay at the Meet of Champions, which brought her to nationals and the Penn Relays. Ray was also a part of the relay team that scored crucial points when the girls won outdoor sectionals for the first time in 2024 and indoor sectionals in 2025.
In March 2025, Ray announced her commitment to ESU via Instagram, and since then, she has been adjusting to college life, while simultaneously running at the NCAA Division II level. Ray said, “The adjustment from high school track to collegiate running was huge, especially in terms of training. The workouts were more intense, with faster reps and sometimes less rest, depending on the workout. [There were] new drills I had to learn to perfect to improve my form and get faster. I also had to practice my skills on drills that I already knew, but wanted to do them the way they are supposed to be done.”
Ray has described her first few seasons at ESU as having many “ups and downs” but none that she hasn’t been able to adjust to. She has been running events like the 200 meter sprint and 400 meter sprint, and even tried a 500 meter run for the first time.
Her college bests reflect similarly to those of high school, and at the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell University, she ran 27.02 in the 200 meter while competing against competitive Division I schools. At the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic, she ran a season best in the 400 with a time of 1:01. Considering it was an indoor meet, Ray’s time looks promising for this upcoming spring season with outdoor races frequently reflecting faster times, especially for sprinters.
At WHS, Ray was an outdoor captain and an outstanding leader for many girls on the team. Her influence and willingness to help others have carried over with her to college, and she even shares advice about college with current WHS students. Former teammate and WHS senior Maya Nair, said, “She was an amazing captain and taught me how to be a good leader. She is so energetic and cares about the sport. She has told me in college to stay organized and prioritize the things I love doing. She also said to stay on top of work, which she knows a lot about, especially being an athlete.”
As a talented athlete, Ray is working hard toward her goals this season. Ray said, “Looking ahead, I think the rest of my season will go well. I have faith that I will do well and hopefully qualify for my conference meet, and I am hoping my team wins the meet overall.”
