Culver Academies
2007-2010

Born in Russiaville, Indiana, Waverly grew up with a love for running. Her first memories of competition were against herself, running a one-mile distance measured from her childhood home and back hoping to best her previous effort.

It was in high school, competing for Culver Academies where Waverly excelled and learned the rewards of challenging work and perseverance. Under the guidance of her coach, Mike Chastain, Waverly was the 2010 Indiana state cross country champion and the 2011 Indiana 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters champion, plus setting a state finals record. In addition to her state finals wins, Waverly was the 2011 3,000 National Junior Outdoor Champion and national prep record holder in the indoor 5,000 meters.

Following her high school career, Waverly competed at Columbia University where she earned four career NCAA All-American honors in cross country, 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Most notably, she set the Columbia University school record of 15:37.85 and was the women’s cross country and track and field team captain.

After a three-year career at Columbia University, Waverly finalized her collegiate career at the University of Oregon, where she earned an additional NCAA All-American honor in cross country and a fifth place finish in the NCAA Outdoor National Championships in the 10,000 meters, contributing to the Duck’s NCAA national women’s team title.

Following her collegiate career, Waverly competed from 2017-2019 for the New Jersey New York Track Club under the guidance of legendary coach Frank Gagliano.

While much can be said about Waverly’s career, it is best summed up by her former collegiate coach, Willy Wood, "Waverly was the most intensely dialed in competitor I have ever coached. Her eyes, moments before a race, during my last-minute instructions to her, I would think, my God, I feel sorry for them."