Riverhead High School track star Melodee Riley signed a letter of intent Thursday for a full athletic scholarship to the University of Connecticut.
Flanked by her parents Willie and Lori Riley, siblings Amanda and Darien, the Jamesport teen put her signature on the dotted line, accepting the UConn scholarship offer and agreeing to become a Husky this fall.
Riley, Long Island's triple-jump and long-jump champion in 2011, was also the New York State Division I triple-jump and long-jump champion last year. She also took the state federation title in triple jump last year and was named All-American after placing fourth in the New Balance Nationals.
She will join an NCAA Division I program that's earned three Big East Championship titles and boasts 200 conference champions over the career of head coach Bill Morgan, including two NCAA regional champions and 36 All-American titles.
"I really liked it there," Melodee said after a signing ceremony at the high school. "And I like that it's not too far away from home."
"It was the first school she really 'officially' visited and she loved it," said her mother, Lori Riley. "She just made that connection." The proud mom said Melodee was recruited by hundreds of schools across the country.
Melodee holds Riverhead High School records in triple jump (41 ft., 3.5 in.), long jump (19 ft., .25 in.), 400 IH (65.28) and 4x400 relay (4:05.78). She also plays on the school's field hockey and basketball teams.
"As a coach, you love to see this," Riverhead girls track and field coach Maria Dounelis said Thursday of the young phenom's achievements. "She just amazes all of us."
In her 12 years of coaching at Riverhead, "this is the first time we've had a jumper like this," Dounelis said. "She's got so much potential I can't wait to see what the next couple of years have in store."
Among her goals, said Riley, an honor student who is undecided about a college major, is competing in the 2016 Olympics.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl.