Suffern

By Christopher Hunt


Shelby Greany tried to keep her options open. She tried to do the responsible thing. But she knew what lay in her heart all along.


The Suffern senior harbored dreams of pulling a Providence jersey over her head since her freshman year when she visited the school with her sister four years ago for an open house. Then she was infatuated. Now she’s in love. Greany gave an oral commitment to Providence College yesterday.
“I just loved everything about it,” Greany said. “I loved the coach. I loved the team. I just got that feeling that everyone talks about. That was it.”


She chose the storied Rhode Island program over Boston College, Georgetown and Villanova. Since the NCAA has eliminated the early signing period, Greany will have to wait until February to sign a National Letter of Intent though she informed Providence coach Ray Treacy, along with the coaches that suited her, yesterday afternoon.


Greany is the next in a growing group of local distance stars to head to Providence. Saratoga Springs’ Hannah Davidson and Mary Kate Champagne of Seton Catholic are both currently two of the top freshman at the program. Greany competed against both numerous times and they remain friends. Champagne and Davidson both hosted her recruit visit. Sara Graney, the top runner at Tappan Zee also in Rockland County, is also in her freshman season.


“It was like I’d been there already, like I was already a part of the team,” Greany said. “We all got along really well.”


Greany is three-time Foot Locker nationals finalist and at the top of the recruiting class among senior distance runners in New York State. She won her first national championship in the spring in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the Nike Outdoor Nationals.


The senior returned from Villanova yesterday with her mind made up. Greany said that it was important for her to choose a school as soon as possible. In fact, she’s only raced in one invitational so far this season, partly due to college visits.  She said one of the most difficult things was informing other coaches with whom she had formed relationships with.


“It was so important to me to get this done early,” she said. “It was so nerve-racking with all the coaches calling me. I felt like I had to juggle four boyfriends. You build a relationship with these coaches and you really like some of them and you like the school so it’s really hard. But in the end I have to do what’s best for me and it’s best for everyone to make the decision as early as possible.


“I finally get to sleep now.”


Reach Christopher Hunt at chunt@armorytrack.com.

LEFT:  Mary Kate Champagne leads Greany last year at Manhattan College Invitational with Hannah Davidson in third.  All three will be wearing the Providence uniform next fall.

all pics by Don Rich and Tim Fulton