Ursuline Runner Vopni Signs With Baylor

For someone who’s only been a distance specialist for two years, Devon Vopni quickly got up to speed.

The Ursuline senior became one of the top runners at the school and on Wednesday signed with Baylor University, where she will run next year.

Vopni was recognized on Wednesday during a ceremony at the school, along with three classmates who have committed to play various sports in college—volleyball players Allison Wilbert (Roanoke College) and Joy Liu (Bowdoin), plus soccer goalkeeper Kaitlyn Vess (University of Dallas).

Vopni ran competitively in middle school but was mainly playing soccer during her freshman and sophomore years in high school.

“I ran middle-distance track the spring of my sophomore year,” she said. “And I converted over off-season during the summer into a distance runner.”

Although she misses true team sports, Vopni finds the individual aspect of cross country quite rewarding.

“I love the escape and outlet that running has provided for me and all the friends that I have made in the past years,” she said. “There is truly something special about getting to run with and push each other every day at practice and see each other at our bests and worsts.”

Vopni was the runner-up at the TAPPS 6A cross country meet in the fall, and this spring, she has finished in the top two in the 3,200 meters in every meet for the Bears.