Wayne State University announced on Apr. 13 the addition of three high school student-athletes to its women’s cross country and track and field teams for the upcoming academic year. Head coach Grant Lofdahl, along with assistant coaches Nate Miller and Celine Freeman-Gibb, confirmed that Buife George-Uzonwanne, Becca Jud, and Emma Rudling will join the Warriors in Detroit this fall.
The recruitment of these athletes is significant as Wayne State Warriors Women’s Cross Country competes in NCAA Division II within the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, according to the official website. The program operates from Detroit, Michigan, as noted by the official website.
George-Uzonwanne is a sprinter from Oakville, Ontario. She was an OFSAA Provincial qualifier and won gold at the International Youth Meet of Champions in the 60-meter event. Assistant coach Miller said, “We are thrilled to add Buife to the sprints squad this upcoming fall. Buife is a tremendously talented sprinter and has great potential. The team felt her personality fit very well with the team culture. As always, our incomers are great students, and Buife does very well in the classroom.” George-Uzonwanne plans to major in Biomedical Engineering.
Jud joins from Plymouth, Michigan’s Salem High School where she earned accolades such as Most Improved Runner and Team MVP while also qualifying for state finals multiple times in both cross country and track events. Lofdahl said about Jud: “Becca is a multi-talented runner with tremendous potential. Coach Miller started recruiting her as a long-sprinter after she attended our summer track camp, and seeing her ability and attitude. She had a very nice senior cross country season, and she will run cross for us with a strong focus on speed and the 800 meters during track season. We are excited to watch her continued development.” Jud intends to study Nursing at Wayne State.
Rudling comes from Amherstburg, Ontario’s North Star High School where she won regional titles including first place at SWOSSAA Championships in cross country’s Senior Girls division as well as success on track events like steeplechase. Lofdahl said of Rudling: “We are very excited about Emma’s potential as a cross country and long distance runner. She works extremely hard and has good versatility at any track event 1500 meters and up… This 2026 recruiting class is one of the best in WSU women’s cross country history, and Emma is a key part of that.” Rudling plans to major in Civil Engineering.
With these additions joining an established NCAA Division II program based out of Detroit under experienced coaching staff leadership, observers may look forward to seeing how these new recruits contribute both academically and athletically.
