Earlier in her senior year, Bridgeport's Carley Lattea wasn't sure if she wanted to continue her track & field career.
 
That all changed when she got an Instagram message from West Virginia Wesleyan coach Kelsey Stowers.
 
"She asked me about my season…after talking to her, it was something that I wanted to do," Lattea said.
 
Less than a week after she competed for the Indians for the last time at the Class AAA state meet, she's glad she isn't done, officially signing to continue her career with the Bobcats.
 
"I'm really excited that it's not coming to an end," Lattea said. "Their coaches were super nice and welcoming. They told me about their program for getting into occupational therapy and they said that everyone that's went through Wesleyan got accepted into it."
 
Lattea qualified for the state meet in the 100 meter hurdles, finishing 15th in 17.47 seconds, then ran the third leg of the shuttle hurdles relay along with Isla Tobrey, Kennedy Wolfe and Katie Backus, posting a time of 1:09.48.
 
"It was a really great weekend. Our shuttle team was supposed to place ninth, but we got eighth, so we were excited because we got a medal," Lattea said. "We had a lot of seniors last year, so it was really weird being the oldest one, but I love the girls that I run with and they made my last year special."
 
Lattea expects to do hurdles for WVWC as well, probably the shorter distance events.
 
"I did track in seventh grade and the normal running and sprinting events," Lattea said. "Then my dad mentioned hurdles in eighth grade since he did them. He taught me how and I've loved them ever since. 
 
"I think having an obstacle to get over and not normal sprinting just pushes me to run faster."
 
Lattea is happy to go to school close to home.
 
"I didn't want to go far away from my family because we're super close. I'm glad that I can meet up with them whenever I want to," Lattea said. "I like the aspect of having a smaller classroom and being closer with the teachers."
 
Her time at Bridgeport served her well, athletically and academically.
 
"Bridgeport has high expectations. I think I'll take that with me to Wesleyan. They've taught me how to be on top of my grades and be organized," Lattea said. "My coaches have been good to me all four years. They're very supportive and uplifting."