Jun 5, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

Track & field athletes can achieve success as a professional and earn a healthy living, but the longevity of those careers can fluctuate depending on numerous circumstances.

Recent Laurel Highlands graduate Neela Hill understands that, which was one of the main reasons she selected Robert Morris University to continue her academic and track & field careers as a high jumper.

Hill will study psychology in the three plus two program while competing for the Colonials under head coach Bryan Delsite.

“Track & field is one of my top priorities, and I do think I could compete in the sport as a professional, but I also wanted to go somewhere for my education because athletics are not always going to be there, unlike my degree and education,” Hill said. “My parents wanted me to always stick with academics. They took me out of public school and sent me to private school. They would drive me there every day, and I would get tutored three times a day.

“I made sure I stayed on the honor roll and took AP and honors classes. I didn’t start doing sports until the beginning of high school. I danced my whole life up until then.”

Hill didn’t have Robert Morris on her radar as the school year began, but after opening up her recruitment, she had been accepted into the three plus two program, which allows her to obtain her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. She also received an email from Delsite, which further sold her on becoming a Colonial.

“When I saw that he had emailed me, and with him still supporting me when I told him I was going elsewhere, it was very important to me,” Hill said. “I emailed him on a Thursday, went for a visit on a Monday and it was just awesome. On our visits, I always had a bunch of cons immediately, but I thought I could work through the cons if it wasn’t that big of a con, but as soon as I went to Robert Morris, there were just pros. I also met my future roommate, which is a shot putter from Hempfield. The team is made up of mostly WPIAL athletes.”

Hill will continue to high jump at the collegiate level, but the coaching staff have mentioned the possibility of her competing in the long jump. She would race in the 400-meter relay for the Mustangs.

Hill credits the success of the athletes at Laurel Highlands with her being allowed to be selective in what events she participates in.

“I lucked out in high school where we had other people who were strong in other events, so I didn’t really have to focus on anything else but the high jump, and I happened to be good at it,” Hill said. “I was also able to do some training with the jumping coach at Morgantown High School and Christian Jones, who competed at Laurel Highlands before going to IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania). He was an All-American at IUP and cleared 7-0. It is a community of helping.”

Hill played soccer in the fall, which blossomed into her giving track & field a try. She credits Abby (Wingrove) Thomas’ encouragement for her involvement in the spring sport.

“Abby was an assistant coach on the girls soccer team, and she put the idea in my head to try track & field,” Hill said. “Mr. (Jerry) Pegg and Mr. (Irwin) Brambley have also helped me with my technique and becoming a better high jumper overall.”

Hill will move into the Moon Township campus on Aug. 18 and classes begin on Aug. 31. She is eager to compete in the indoor track & field season.

Hill has a PR (personal record) of 5-4.25 in the high jump. She cleared 5-4 as a senior.