Home Sports Gehlen Catholic’s Sophie Ruden Signs to Run Track at Briar Cliff University

Gehlen Catholic’s Sophie Ruden Signs to Run Track at Briar Cliff University

Gehlen Catholic girls track and field athlete Sophie Ruden signed to continue running track in college when she committed to Briar Cliff University Wednesday morning.

Ruden has been a multi-sport athlete at Gehlen Catholic participating in volleyball and basketball as well. She says track has always been her favorite of the sports to compete in.

It is easy to see why Ruden loves running track for the Jays. Head Coach Travis Westhoff says that shows in the success she has had and the work it has taken to get to that success.

That work ethic has made her a very valuable asset for the Gehlen girls track team. It has also made her very receptive to coaching which Coach Westhoff says has made her that much better.

Once she went on a visit, Ruden fell in love with Briar Cliff. She says from that point, she knew she wanted to be a Charger.

Ruden has really enjoyed being a Jay under the coaching of both Travis Westhoff and Jeremy Schindler running the track programs. She says the BCU coaches remind her of those two making this a nice and seamless transition.

Ruden credits her support system for always pushing her to be successful and getting her to this point.

Sending an athlete off to college leaves an opportunity for the high school program the athlete leaves behind. In Ruden’s case, Coach Westhoff hopes he has plenty of athletes coming up who desire the opportunity Ruden is getting next season.

Ruden has qualified for state two years in a row in the 400m hurdles and qualified for the long jump last season.