Cassie Lohmeier is set to fulfill a longtime goal of running at the NCAA’s top level.
The East Peoria Community High School senior signed a National Letter of Intent Thursday in the school’s library to attend Bradley University, where she will compete on the women’s cross country and track and field teams.
“I always really wanted to run Division I,” said Lohmeier.
Lohmeier has known BU assistant coach Clint LaFary, the former Limestone mentor, since she started as a Raider freshman.
“I always admired his coaching skills. He really had a passion for coaching his girls,” said Lohmeier of LaFary.
Lohmeier also acknowledged positive thoughts about Braves head coach David Beauchem and said she liked all the girls on the teams.
Among the Bradley athletes already in place is freshman Emily Gustafson.
Lohmeier will get to join forces with the ex-Raider again after they were a formidable combination as high school teammates.
“I’m really excited about that,” Lohmeier said.
Lohmeier noted there is a strong group of recruits who will join her in the fall, which makes the future bright for the program.
Lohmeier, who plans to run track this spring for the final time for East Peoria, has performed at a high level since entering as a ninth grader.
She was a two-time all-state selection (2007, ’08) and three-time all-Mid-Illini Conference honoree (‘06-’08) in girls cross country.
Lohmeier was in the overall top 30 at the Illinois High School Association state final all four seasons when the sport was in two and then three classes.
The Raiders were third as a team each of the last three years in 2A.
In track and field, Lohmeier was first-team all-M-I in the 800 (’07) and 1600 (’07, ’08) meter runs.
After experiencing some minor injury setbacks in the fall, Lohmeier said she is hopeful she will not have any further problems.
Lohmeier is undecided on a major at Bradley.
