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McKenzie Gelvin takes talents to Temple


There's no question that Forbes Road's McKenzie Gelvin was destined for greatness after her standout track & field season last year.

On Sunday, Gelvin's destiny came true when she committed to Temple University for track & field. Gelvin, who runs for the McConnellsburg Spartans, received a full athletic scholarship.

She choose the Owls over Boston University, Duquesne, Xavier, Villanova, Towson and St. Francis.

"I really liked the coaches at Temple; they're definitely dedicated, and I really connected with them," Gelvin said. "Temple has a very successful physical therapy program, which is what I want to major in. I also really bonded with the girls on the track team, and I just had a lot of fun on my visit."

Having that strong team bond was important for Gelvin, who said she was looking forward to being on a fully-committed college squad.

At Temple, Gelvin will compete in the 400 and the 800 and will likely do some work on the relays. She said there's also a possibility of her running the 1,500.

Regardless of what event she takes on, there's no reason Gelvin shouldn't find success. Last year, she took home a pair of PIAA medals, placing third and fourth in the 800 and 400, respectively. She also holds a slew of McConnellsburg school records, and this summer, she ran the 400 hurdles for the first time ever and won a gold medal at the Keystone Games.

"Honestly, it was probably just this year that it hit me," Gelvin said, "my times this year that I ran, that was kind of when I realized that I could actually go somewhere with track."

Coming from such a small school, Gelvin said the recruiting process wasn't easy, but the Temple coaches got a chance to see her at the Shippensburg University Invitational, where she won two events and set a personal record in the long jump.

Despite all of her success so far, Gelvin still has one high school season left to go, and she doesn't plan to take it easy.

"I just want to try to bring my times down more so that I'm better prepared when I go," Gelvin said. "I want to work hard this last season. I'm definitely excited, and it's a huge relief. Now I don't have to spend my whole senior year worrying about where I'm going. It's exciting, and good to know my hard work has paid off."

Gelvin is also a standout on the Forbes Road field hockey team, leading the area with 20 goals so far this season, and led the Cardinal girls basketball team to the playoffs last year, averaging 17.3 points per game.

She is the fourth Franklin-Fulton athlete to commit to a Division I program this week.