NJ.com has named Julia Ashley of the Verona High School track team its Super Essex Conference Athlete of the Year.
Ashley suffered a severe knee injury while playing soccer in November 2013 and had to miss the entire 2013-2014 track season. But she has come back stronger than ever this season, winning the 400m and 800m at both the Essex County Championships and the North Jersey, Section 1 Group 1 Championships. She also won the 400 at the state Group 1 meet, and has broken multiple VHS records along the way. Ashley has signed to play for the Division I soccer program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Her coach couldn’t be prouder of the honor. “Julia has been an inspiration for our entire team with what she had to overcome her entire 11th grade year,” says Gene Leporati. “She is a fabulous leader, most accomplished young lady and the most talented athlete I ever coached.”
