![Lily Tessmer (seated) with her mother Karen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1680186598/marianapolis/pb6yyg2wlmh2bz0zb5w5/LilyTessmer.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1680186598/marianapolis/pb6yyg2wlmh2bz0zb5w5/LilyTessmer.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1680186598/marianapolis/pb6yyg2wlmh2bz0zb5w5/LilyTessmer.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1680186598/marianapolis/pb6yyg2wlmh2bz0zb5w5/LilyTessmer.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1680186598/marianapolis/pb6yyg2wlmh2bz0zb5w5/LilyTessmer.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1680186598/marianapolis/pb6yyg2wlmh2bz0zb5w5/LilyTessmer.jpg","width":2200}])
Lily Tessmer, a senior from Lancaster, Massachusetts, signed her National Letter of Intent to compete in track and field for Ashland University on Wednesday, March 29.
Since joining the Marianapolis track and field team in 2021, Tessmer, one of the team’s captains, has focused on the pole vault, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay, and 300 hurdles. She currently holds the school record for the pole vault at 11 feet and is a member of the 4x400 school record team.
Once aspiring to be a collegiate gymnast, Tessmer tried out the pole vault for the first time as a sophomore at Marianapolis and fell in love.
“I personally enjoy how it feels like flying,” said Tessmer. “Since I was previously a gymnast, I am very thankful that I do have knowledge on where I am in the air and when my body should be inverting and twisting. Once I finish that inversion and start riding the jump up, there's truly no better feeling, it's indescribable. I like challenging myself, pushing myself to the limits, and seeing my hard work pay off. Not every day is perfect in this event, but I have learned that you can improve a little bit each day, whether that's in either speed, technique/form, or height.”
“Lily is an incredibly focused and hardworking athlete,” said Marianapolis track and field head coach David DiCicco. “She makes an incredibly complex and challenging event look effortless which is a testament to the countless hours of work she has invested in her craft. She holds herself to a very high standard and, as a teammate and team captain, is very supportive of her peers. In this, and in so many ways, Lily has been a role model and leader for the team and within the Marianapolis community. We are so proud of her and excited to continue to cheer Lily on as she continues her career as a student-athlete at Ashland.”
On signing with Ashland, Tessmer said, "I cannot wait to compete at Ashland! I am looking forward to compet[ing] at the college level. Ashland has great team spirit, and I can't wait to meet and get to know other athletes who share similar goals, interests, and inspirations as me!"
Ashland University, located in Ashland, Ohio, is a Division II school playing in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.