Women's Track & Field 12/23/2025 8:18:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Women's Track and Field Inks Three For 2026-27

Hughes, Nastale and Rath will become Warriors this fall.

DETROIT -- Ninth-year Wayne State University head women's track and field coach Grant Lofdahl has announced the addition of three freshmen for the 2026-27 academic year. Joining the Warriors in the fall of 2026 will be Julia Hughes (Ida, Mich.), Giuliana Nastale (Erie, Mich. / Erie Mason Senior), and Naika Rath (Hudson, Mich.).

Julia Hughes, 5-10, Fr., Sprints/Hurdles, Ida, Mich. / Ida
High School: Will be a 2026 graduate of Ida High School ... will be a four-year track letterwinner for coach Michael Bolster ... was the 2025 MHSAA Division 3 state champion in the 100m hurdles (15.06) after claiming both the Lenawee County Athletic Association conference title and the MHSAA Regional title ... was the runner up in the 300m hurdles at the regional meet and participated at the state finals ... also competed at the 2025 MHSAA Regional meet in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays ... placed second in the 300m hurdles and third in the 100m hurdles at the 2024 MHSAA Regional meet ... finished seventh at the state meet in the 300m hurdles as a sophomore, while also competing in the 4x400m relay ... won the 2023 Regional meet in the 300m hurdles before placing second at the state meet as a freshman ... ran the leadoff leg for the 4x800m relay at the 2023 MHSAA State finals ... was a three-year (2022-23-24) cross country letterwinner for IHS ... was a member of the state qualifying Blue Streaks squad in both 2023 and 2024 after placing 14th (2023) and 15th (2024) at the MHSAA Division 3 regional cross country meet ... ran a personal-best 21:18.5 for 5,000m at the 2025 Dave Bork Classic ... received an Outstanding Underclassmen (Academic) Award.

Personal: Full name -- Julia D. Hughes ... born on May 30, 2008, in Ida, Mich. ... daughter of Carolyn Hasley and Matthew Hughes ... has a younger brother, Joe, and a younger sister, Meridith ... plans to major in Public Relations/Communications.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Julia Hughes: "We were lucky enough to attend the Division III state championships this past year, and the first person we were able to see was Julia. She had a tremendous finish in the 100m Hurdles that earned her the state title. After working with her at our track clinics and meeting with her and her family, it was clear that she would be a great fit to our team. We keep looking for athletes to push our team to a higher level and Julia will focus on doing that in the 100m and 400m Hurdles."

Giuliana Nastale, 5-5, Fr., Sprints, Erie, Mich. / Erie Mason Senior
High School: Will be a 2026 graduate of Erie Mason Senior High School ... will be a four-year track letterwinner for coach Julie Ravary ... helped the Eagles to three straight Tri-County Conference league titles ... aided in two relays (4x100m and 4x200m) placing second at the conference meet as a freshman ... ran the anchor leg on the TCC Championship 4x100m relay in 2024, which qualified for the MHSAA Division 3 state track meet ... finished third at the regional meet in 2024, then placed fourth at the state finals in the 200m dash as a sophomore ... won the league title in the 100m dash in 2024 with a season-best time of 12.82 ... ran the anchor leg on two 2025 regional champion relays (4x100m and 4x200m), with the 4x100m placing seventh at the state meet ... was the 2025 MHSAA Division 3 state champion in both the 100m dash (12.24 prelims) and the 200m dash (personal-best 24.90 in the prelims) ... ran a personal-best 12.21 for 100m at the 2025 Morenci at EMSHS meet ... served as a team captain in both swimming and cheerleading.

Personal: Full name -- Giuliana M. Nastale ...born on August 14, 2008, in Rockford, Mich. ... daughter of Jayme Hunt and Anthony Nastale ... plans to major in Civil Engineering ... name is pronounced jew-lee-Anna NAH-stal.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Giuliana Nastale: "Giuliana is another great addition to our sprinters crew. She was another competitor in the Division III State Finals that we were able to see compete. An undefeated season in the 100m and 200m dash is no easy task. We are excited to have her bring that winning mentality to our team and to grow with the current squad. Giuliana and her incoming class have tremendous potential and we are excited for the future with great people joining our team."

Naika Rath, 5-9, Fr., Sprints, Hudson, Mich. / Hudson
High School: Will be a 2026 graduate of Hudson High School ... will be a four-year track letterwinner for coach Tom Romanowski ... won both the 100 and 200 at the Lenawee County Athletic Association (LCAA) meet as a junior and broke the school record in the 400 ... earned First Team All-County recognition as a jumper in 2023 ... finished fourth in the 100m dash at the 2025 MHSAA Division 3 state finals, while placing third in the 400m dash (personal-best time of 57.93) and fifth in the 200m dash ... finished third in the 200m dash as both a freshman and as a sophomore ... recorded a personal-best 200m dash time of 25.54 at the 2025 meet at Dundee ... notched a personal-best 100m dash time of 12.68 at the 2024 LCAA Championship to take first place ... also competed in volleyball (four years), cross country (one season) and competitive cheer (one season) for the Tigers ... participated in the 2025 MHSAA Division 4 state cross country meet.

Personal: Full name -- Naika R. Rath ... born on August 22, 2008, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti ... daughter of John and Dawn Rath ... plans to major in Interior Design ... first name is pronounced NI-e-kah.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Naika Rath: "Naika was the first commitment to our sprinters crew and we couldn't be happier to add such a talented sprinter. Naika competed and became All-State in three events. After working with her in our track and field clinics, it was clear that she had the ability to run at the collegiate level. We believe she will be a great addition to our team as she fits well with the culture. We look forward to see her develop as a 400m and 200m sprinter in her senior year and her time here at Wayne State."

Print Friendly Version