Manchester High School senior Rae Bedke signed her letter of intent Tuesday to continue her running career at Utah State University. Seated with Rae are parents Brice and Camille Bedke. In the back row are brother Carter Bedke, Manchester cross country head coach Jody Sarber and Manchester High School athletic director Jeremy Markham. (Photo provided by Jeremy Markham)

NORTH MANCHESTER – Rae Bedke has made a name for herself in being able to run very successfully for long distances. Bedke’s next cross country run will take her a long, long way from Wabash County.

Bedke, a senior at Manchester High School, signed her letter of intent Tuesday to continue her cross country and track career at Utah State, home of the Aggies in Logan, Utah.

Bedke has been dominant in her four-year cross country career, and is expected to again star this coming spring as a senior track athlete. Bedke most recently placed 25th at the 2016 IHSAA cross country state finals, earning All-State honors. Bedke was a Three Rivers Conference champion and as well as champion at the Culver Academy Sectional before taking third at the Culver Academy Regional and 18th at the New Prairie Semi-state.

As a freshman in track, Bedke finished sixth in the mile-run and was a state qualifier in both the mile and two-mile as a junior.