Lucy Varela

Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Lake Forest, Calif.
Prev School:
El Toro HS
Major:
Nutrition

Honors & Awards

- Member of 2024 California Division 2 Cross Country State Championship Team
- Cross Country:
- 1st Team All-County (Junior & Senior Year)
- 1st Team All-League (Freshman, Sophomore & Senior Year)
- Varsity Athlete (Sophomore–Senior Year)

- Track & Field:
- Distance MVP (Sophomore–Senior Year)

High School: Lucy Varela comes to UNC from El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California, where she was a standout distance runner and key contributor to her team’s historic 2024 Division 2 State Championship in cross country—marking the program’s first-ever title. A decorated athlete in both cross country and track, Varela earned All-County and All-League honors multiple times and was named Distance MVP three years in a row.

Personal: Daughter of Katie and Jonathan Varela, Lucy has two brothers, Nate and Levi. She chose UNC for its strong nutrition program, the supportive coaching staff, and a team environment that felt like the perfect fit. A Nutrition major, Lucy hopes to become a sports nutritionist and work with a university athletic department or a professional sports team. Outside of running, she enjoys hiking, baking and cooking, surfing, tanning, and shopping.