Oswego East Co-Student Athlete of the Week

The Buado family has had an immense impact in the running success of cross country and track at Oswego East. Nicole Buado, who graduated in 2014, was a three time all-conference track athlete. Senior Ashley Buado is following in her older sister Nicole’s footsteps and has achieved even more success than her sibling. Ashley Buado is this week’s Oswego East Co-Student Athlete of the Week.

Senior Ashley Buado is the type of leader and athlete coaches hope for from their upperclassman. She leads by example and is helpful, but is always willing to put in the hard work for her team. “Ashley is a servant leader,” says Cross Country coach Lisa Cook. Cook goes on to say, “[Ashley’s] never one to avoid hard work, and if something needs to be done, she doesn’t call out an underclassman to do it, she just does it.” Having leaders who leads by example help sets any team on a positive path where everyone feels the need to do their part.

Ashley did not come out for cross country until her sophomore year, which was more or less to help her stay in shape for track season. As a sophomore, her best time was 21:20, as a junior she broke the 20 minute mark twice, and as a senior she has already broke the 20 minute mark twice with half the season remaining. Her consistent work effort through her three years on the cross country team have made an indelible mark on her coaches and teammates, and has younger athletes across both programs looking up to her.

As an athlete who always prioritizes her team above her own needs, and someone who’s consistent work ethic has seen her break through her personal ceiling each year, it’s no wonder Ashley also finds personal success in the classroom. As a senior with a 3.8 G.P.A. and having earned a 24 on the ACT, Ashley will have multiple options when choosing both a school and a career path. Although she is unsure, she does have her sights on becoming an optometrist. Ashley’s Forensics teacher, Tiffany Scholle, anticipates Ashley finding a lot of success in the medical field, “[Ashley] is very meticulous with her work and always makes sure everything was of the highest quality.” She goes on to add, “[Optometry] requires perseverance, the ability to take risks, and attention to detail, all of which Ashley exhibited well in Forensics class.”

Her parents, Sixto Buado and Glorina Buado, have seen the impact Oswego East has had on Ashley’s maturing process. Mr. Buado says, “[Ashley] has broken out of her shell. When she started she was this little shy girl, and has gone to being a vocal captain of the team.” Ashley’s growth as an athlete and a person has been even more special as she was able to go through this process with her older sister Nicole leading her, and now has an opportunity to do the same with younger sister and current East freshmen, Melody. Mr. Buado believes that the experience of competing with her sisters, “Was very special, and definitely brought them together.”

As Ashley continues in her senior season, we at East are hopeful she will continue breaking both personal records, and continuing to lead others to their highest potential. As a senior, Ashley can look back and appreciate how quickly everything has taken place. She warns future wolves to, “Enjoy high school and make the most of it, because it flies by.” Always the leader, Ashley continues with her advice by adding, “Take your grades seriously early on, and appreciate the people around you, because you won’t always have them.” We wish Ashley, and the rest of the girls cross country team, an abundance of luck and good health as they turn the corner towards the end of the season and state tournament.