Juliette Whittaker Joins Fellow U.S. Trialist Roisin Willis By Committing to Stanford

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

When prep runner Roisin Willis made her official commitment to Stanford University late last month, fellow middle-distance prep star and close friend Juliette Whittaker had a tough decision to make -- join Willis and a loaded recruiting class or head elsewhere?

In the end, it was the program and people that guided Whittaker to the West Coast. Thursday night via social media, the middle-distance prep standout from Catonsville, Md. announced her commitment to run for Stanford next fall. 

“I just loved the girls so much,” Whittaker said of her visit to Stanford. “When I was there, it already felt like I was part of the team, they were all so welcoming and so kind and I could really see myself there. (Roisin’s) decision did sway me a little bit though, which I think is fine. I chose the people, which I think is so special, choosing girls who are going to be with me for the next four years, and I have such great relationships with all of them, especially with Roisin.”

Whittaker, who finished the 2021 outdoor track season  with the US#2 time in the girls mile of 4:38.65, highlights a 2022 class that features Willis (Stevens Point WI) and Cherry Creek CO's three-time state cross country champion Riley Stewart, Winter Park FL standout Caroline Wells and Chicago (Latin) IL's Ava Parekh.. 

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Whittaker’s decision came down to Stanford and the University of Virginia. She said she also looked at University of North Carolina, Georgetown and Texas A&M. She explained it was her second visit to the campus, and having the opportunity to connect with the team, that sealed the deal.

“Stanford’s history is absolutely incredible, and I’m so excited to be a part of that,” she said.

Whittaker, along with Willis, was one of three high school athletes to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the women’s 800 meters last June. Whittaker advanced to the semifinals where she ran a personal best time of 2:01.21.  

"It feels so good,” she said. “I feel like we’ve been talking about colleges for so long since we started the recruiting process like a year and half ago. It’s been such a long process and it feels so good to know. Now, I can just celebrate and focus on the rest of my senior year and have fun.”

Whittaker, who attends Mount De Sales Academy in Maryland, is looking for a strong finish to her cross country season and advancing to the Eastbay (formerly Foot Locker) National Championships again. She said her goal for the track season is adding to her already strong resume.

“For track, I really want to try different races,” Whittaker said. “I’d love to try an open 400, more miles, possibly 2-miles, and get my times down.”