May 16, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University head track & field coach Dr. Curtiss Long announced Wednesday that Aimee Wellerding, a middle distance runner from Male High School in Louisville, Ky., has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete for the Lady Toppers beginning with the 2001-02 season. She is the first athlete to commit to WKU during the spring signing period which began April 11.
Wellerding was a six-time all-state selection at MHS, earning first-team honors in the 400- and 1,600-meter runs and twice in the 3,200-meter relay. She also garnered second-team laurels in the 1,600-meter relay and 3,200-meter run. In addition, Wellerding was a two-time state champion, claiming titles in the 1,600 meters in 1998 and the 3,200-meter relay in 2000, and a two-time state runner-up, finishing second in the 400 meters in 2000 and the 3,200-meter relay in 1998. Her fastest 400-meter time (:57.4) is more than two seconds better than any Lady Topper mark in 2000-01, and it is less than two seconds off the Western school record which was set back in 1978.
Besides her impressive credentials on the track, Wellerding was a highly-decorated cross country standout, picking up all-state honors three times, including first-team accolades in 1997. She was also a three-time all-region selection and was part of the 1997 state runner-up squad and the 1999 regional championship unit.
"Aimee has marvelous foot speed and excellent range," Long said. "Her awards and her times demonstrate a unique talent that few are blessed with. Her speed will allow her to be a valuable part of our relay teams and a strong contender in many of the shorter distance races."
Wellerding intends to major in journalism at Western Kentucky. She is the daughter of John and Deb Wellerding of Louisville.
