Chris Hardie saw this day coming for years.

When Hardie first started recruiting Aubrey Wingeart, she was a junior at King George High School in Virginia, he had a conversation with her that Wingeart’s father, Paul, was quick to remind him of this past weekend. 

Hardie didn’t have a strong recollection of the conversation, but the coach’s words would prove to be an accurate prophecy.  

“Apparently I had told her when she was a junior that she would be a national qualifier,” Hardie said. 

Hardie doesn’t have a strong recollection of that conversation, but remembers Wingeart’s senior year of high school. 

“She was my top recruit that year, so I saw her three or four times in action,” he said. “It was reenforced with me even when I saw her, how good she was. She’s such a competitor, and her runners IQ is super high. She’s very smart, very strategic and you could see that right away.” 

When Wingeart arrived at Waynesburg University last fall, she entered a program that was already on its way to dynasty status in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Between 2015 and 2018, the Yellow Jackets won two PAC Championships and sent three runners to nationals. Last year’s team had several key contributors who had already plowed the PAC road twice.

Yet, from Wingeart’s first race, the rookie managed to stand out in the sea of veterans.

As a freshman last season, even on a team that was already on its way to winning a third straight conference championship, Wingeart stood out. 

She placed second overall at her first collegiate race in the Westminster Invitational, and blossomed from there. At the PAC Championships, on her home course in Greene County, Wingeart paced the Jackets and finished third in the conference. 

At regionals, Wingeart again led all Jacket runners, running her way to freshman all-region honors. 

With a year under her belt, it was time for Wingeart to take the next step in 2019.

“That was a big goal this season for me was qualyfiyng [for nationals],” Wingeart said. “I’m both excited and nervous for the race. The best of the best get to run there.”

Indeed, Wingeart has asserted herself as among the best in the Mideast Region and, at this rate, will almost surely be one of the best in Waynesburg history. 

For Hardie, however, Wingeart wasn’t far away from that status as a rookie. 

“I definitely thought that she was a national level runner even as a freshman,” Hardie said. “So maybe freshman year, it would have been tough [to qualify]. And it was.”

As her accolades continue to build up, and Wingeart’s name gains in stature, the increased attention isn’t something her quiet personality craves or even wants. More eyes then ever will be watching Wingeart perform at nationals. Nationals will serve as an opportunity to race without feeling like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. As far as the 2019 cross country season goes, her mission is accomplished, and the rest is gravy. 

“It’s going to be a tough race, but it will be fun,” she said. “There’s really no pressure. There’s nothing else to aim for after this race. It’s just going out and running a good time.”

Hardie, who is more outspoken than his top runner, was quick to praise Wingeart for all she’s done, and all she’ll continue to do, for Waynesburg.

“I wholeheartedly believe she could be an All-American in this program, and run toward the school record at some point in her career too,” he said. “She has a year or two left to do that. So it doesn’t surprise me. She’s amazing.”