Congratulations, WCRC Scholarship Recipients!
As the summer draws to a close, the 2025 West Chester Running Club (WCRC) Scholarship Award winners will soon be headed off to their college careers, where we wish them continued success. In May, we presented WCRC Scholarship Awards to Zoe Cimo of Phoenixville High School, who will be attending Lafayette College, and to Sophia Kalogredis of Downingtown STEM, who will be studying at the University of Maryland. These two student athletes represent the best and brightest of Chester County student athletes, and we, as the WCRC, are proud to award their accomplishments and help them further their education.
About the WCRC Scholarship
The West Chester Running Club (WCRC) was established in 2000 by a group of close friends who wanted to share their passion for running. WCRC promotes the benefits of health, fitness and competition through running. We support our members and the community with motivation and encouragement to obtain personal goals, create a social atmosphere and form lasting friendships. Our club is dedicated to strengthening self-image, supporting personal success, and providing a source of community involvement.
Each year the West Chester Running Club (WCRC) Scholarship Committee reviews applications from talented, motivated, and accomplished high school athletes. These outstanding student-athletes come from all corners of Chester County and have dedicated themselves to running, serving their community and peers, and achieving high academic standards. From these applicants, the WCRC Scholarship Committee selects a choice few individuals whose accomplishments are truly noteworthy.
Each of our winners receive $1,000 along with our congratulations for their high school accomplishments and best wishes for success in their college careers. The list of outstanding individuals who we have been fortunate enough to recognize has been expanding since the early 2000s.
The WCRC Scholarship Award process would not be possible without the dedication of Ann Tierney. Beginning in February, Ann updates the Scholarship application, then notifies Chester County high schools. In May, Ann collates and disseminates all the applications to the WCRC Scholarship Committee, and then sets the date for the Committee to meet. Ann deserves tremendous thanks for the role she plays in ensuring that the process operates smoothly.
Assisting Ann with the Scholarship Award selection process are WCRC members Dinae Norris, Dave Keefe, Jason Britton, and Dan Holland. In addition to these highlighted individuals, there are several WCRC members whose philanthropy makes the awarding of these Scholarships possible.
The WCRC Scholarship Award is funded independently of the annual dues that we collect. If you have interest in the WCRC Scholarship Award or would like to contribute to our Scholarship Fund, please contact Ann Tierney or Dan Holland at wcrcscholarship@gmail.com.
2025 WCRC Scholarship Criteria:
The 2025 WCRC Scholarship process is now closed. Congratulations to our recipients!
Eligibility Rules:
The student:
- has been accepted at an accredited two- or four-year college or university.
- has been a member of their high school’s varsity cross country and/or track and field teams in grades 11 and 12.
- has demonstrated academic excellence, athletic excellence and leadership qualities.
- is a graduating high school senior from a Chester County, PA public or private school.
Selection will be made by the WCRC Scholarship Committee. The recipient(s) will be notified in late May and the scholarship will be awarded in June 2025.
Procedure:
- Complete the Application Form (PDF | WORD) and essay.
- Provide the following supporting documents:
- official transcript from grades 9-11 (must be sent directly from your school’s Guidance office)
- senior year coursework and grades (report card or transcript)
- two letters of recommendation from supervising adults, which may include your principal, vice-principal, coach, teacher, employer, or religious leader (must be sent directly from your reference or your school’s Guidance office).
- Application form and supporting documents should be emailed to wcrcscholarship@gmail.comor delivered to
- West Chester Running Club Scholarship
c/o Ann Tierney
501 East Lafayette Drive
West Chester, PA 19382
- West Chester Running Club Scholarship
- No materials will be returned. Please be certain that the application is legible and complete. Receipt of documents will be acknowledged through email. Email wcrcscholarship@gmail.com if you have any specific questions about the scholarship or this application.
- APPLICATION FORM AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 16, 2025. We cannot make accommodations for late deliveries.
Download the 2025 WCRC Scholarship Application here: PDF | WORD
Past WCRC Scholarship Recipients
2025
Zoe Cimo, Phoenixville High School
Sophia Kalogredis, Downingtown STEM
2024
Anna Carruthers, Phoenixville High School
Kenzie Padilla, Phoenixville High School
Shane Walsh, Conestoga High School
Zachary Iozzi, West Chester East High School
2023
Alyssa Cunningham, Phoenixville High School
Bridget Howe, Downingtown STEM
Preston Lubeski, Henderson High School
Maeve Keefe, West Chester East High School
2022
Chinonye Moneme, West Chester East High School
Jesse Comanda, Kennett High School
Sarah Karaman, Owen J Roberts High School
2021
Caitlyn Sweet, Avon Grove High School
Madison O’Neill, Phoenixville High School
Gavin Maxwell, Kennett Square High School
McKenna Norton, Kennett Square High School
2020
Alicia Stevance, Great Valley High School
Ally Clark, West Chester East High School
Gina Lusvardi, Kennett High School
Lalitha Shanmugasundaram, Downingtown STEM
Megan Baker, Henderson High School
2019
Claire Mobed, West Chester East High School
Joseph Chamoun, Downingtown STEM Academy
Rachel Hyzny, Kennett High School
2018
Claire Dawyot of Kennett High School
Lucy Merrill of Henderson High School
2017
Elizabeth Edwards of Unionville High School
Lili Ladner of The Westtown School
2016
Connor McSwain of Henderson High School
Kacie Breeding of Unionville High School
2015
Eric Diestelow of West Chester East High School
Olivia Young of Unionville High School
Madison Matarozzo of Owen J. Roberts High School
West Chester Running Club 