SBHS Track Star Osley Commits to Northern Illinois University

Alicia Osley entered four years ago unsure of herself as she began to compete for the Vikings track team. Now, as she looks to graduate from SBHS in the spring, the senior star will leave South Brunswick as a key member of an All-American relay team, and as part of a track dynasty.

However, Osley isn't done competing. Her hard work paid off this week when she signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Northern Illinois University on a full scholarship. She credited the support of her family for allowing her to achieve this milestone.

"My family had a huge impact on me, they've been my whole support system getting me ready. They provided me with everything I need and they really helped with my confidence, which used to be a huge issue with me," Osley said. "All of the accomplishments I have, I couldn't have done without them."

Osley's accomplishments at South Brunswick are an extensive list. The South Brunswick High School girls track team earned its first All-American status for a relay team (for the outdoor season) in the history of the program in June, 2011.

, the sprint medley team of Osley, Rachel Johnson, Janae Baker, and Cayla Del Piano placed sixth with a time of 4:05.04.

Osley was also part of a total team effort that powered the SBHS girls track team to its . She also earned  for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to team efforts,  

But as she prepares for her final season with the SBHS track team this spring, Osley she was proud of the legacy she and her teammates leave behind for the next group of South Brunswick runners.

"It's something that's really special, but it's more special that these were team titles we won, because we get to share it," she said. "It really helped us bond as a team together."

In 2011, the girls 4x100 meter relay team of Osley, Mariah Browne, Janae Baker, and Rachel Johnson  with a time of 48.52.

"Those three other girls were like my sisters because we were on so many relays together, we were really close so I was sad when they left for college and I was the only one left," she said.

However, the program didn't skip a beat, as Osley and the rest of the relay team continued to dominate. As she is now the one heading off to college, Osley said it would be up to the next group of girls to continue the South Brunswick dynasty.

"The next group of girls need to be ready to step up to the plate and fill the relay spots that were left behind," she said.

Osley was one of two South Brunswick track stars to earn an athletic scholarship, as Del Piano will be headed to the University of Pittsburgh.

Osley, who also had offers from Georgetown University, Eastern Michigan, University of Akron, Wake Forest and Villanova, said a visit to Northern Illinois helped seal the deal.

"When I went on my official visit I just loved the school. The coach is amazing and I got along with the team really well," she said. "Plus they have a really good academic program."

When she begins at NIU, Osley said she will be focusing on the 400, 200 and 100 races at the collegiate level. She credited the guidance of her coaches at SBHS for allowing her to continue her career at the next level.

"The coaches were great. They really helped me progress and improve from freshman year to this year," Osley said. "They helped me be a lot more confident and to go out and compete really hard."

As her time in South Brunswick enters the final stretch, Osley said it was the bonds forged with her team that she will look back on most fondly.

"The best memories I have is from all of our victories, winning the GMC and sectionals all four years of high school is something really special because we got to share it with the whole team," she said. "But outside of athletics, the best memories I have in South Brunswick were meeting all the people and my friends."