On Oct. 10, junior track runner Delaney Farley announced her commitment to James Madison University’s track and field team. Farley, who competes in the 55 meter and 200 meter dash along with the 200 meter and 400 meter relay, is the first Class of 2026 member of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood track and field team to announce their college commitment.
“I thought [James Madison] was a good place for me academically and athletically,” Farley told The Fanscotian. “The coaches and the team were very nice and very good people, so it felt like a good fit for me.”
Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, James Madison University is a public research school named after former U.S. president James Madison. Known as the Dukes in athletics, James Madison competes in the Sun Belt Conference at the Division I level, and enters in meets like the Penn Relays, Virginia Challenge and the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
Farley wants to contribute to the Dukes’ overall success, while also making her name known throughout collegiate track and field.
“I want to succeed and win as many meets as I can, and maybe also get to other levels in track,” Farley said.
While most student-athletes have their mind set on what sports they will be participating in when they enter high school, Farley has a rather unique story. After hearing about the sport from a friend, Farley decided to join the track and field team just for fun. What started out as running just for fun has turned into competing and winning county and state championships.
Farley has run in her fair share of meets throughout her first two years as a Raider. She placed first in the 55 meter dash in the Eastern Championships, Sectional Championships and the Varsity Classic. Farley was also a part of the 4×200 meter relay team that placed first in the Len Pietrewicz Invitational during her freshman season.
“[My favorite part about running at SPFHS is] how supportive everyone is and how the environment is great,” Farley said.
Farley has been surrounded by a surplus of strong track runners at SPF, and fits in well with the rich history of track runners coming out of SPFHS.
In addition to running track, Farley is on the SPF gymnastics team, where she has been a key member since her freshman year. Although she is already committed, Farley is still only a junior and will be able to lace up as a Raider many more times before donning the purple and gold at James Madison.
