while running for massapequa high school in massapequa, ny, she was a seven time new york state champion. her high school career includes big wins in the 1985 penn relays girls 1500 meters and the girls high school mile at the millrose games. she continued to villanova university where she ran leadoff for the still standing outdoor distance medley relay world record team which she and her teammates set at the penn relays in 1988. she was a seven time ncaa all-american in the 1500 meters and 3000 meters. she was also captained the team when villanova university won their first ncaa women's cross country championship in 1989.