Jessica has been Angel's best friend since they were 10 years old, and have known each other for even longer than that! They grew up together in Homer City and have remained lifelong friends despite distance and hectic lifestyles. Jessica is the person Angel goes to in a crisis...namely when Angel found out Pat had bought an engagement ring a week before he ended up proposing! Her advice, "Please don't be crazy", which was exactly the advice she needed to hear... Jessica has always been there for Angel and knows her better than she knows herself. Throughout their friendship Jessica has always kept Angel laughing whether it be before a race (to curb the nerves) or to make the day pass during school. Jessica is an extremely genuine and kind person Angel truly couldn't picture her life without.
Kelsey "Vilch" Vilcek has also been best friends with Angel from a young age, and the two actually met through Jessica (they're cousins!). These two have been best friends since elementary school...practically family! Kelsey has always been the most stylish and artistic one of the group, and this day will surely prove to show no change in that. Kelsey and Angel have participated in every sport growing up together: cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track. Her light of positivity is something that has never been taken for granted. She's kind and sweet, with a contagious laugh but please resist the urge to pick her up...
Emily was a teammate of Angel's at Villanova, and a large part of why Angel decided to attend Villanova. Total honesty, she was probably Emily's biggest fan while in high school. She has admired Emily on the track prior to Villanova, but through their biology studies (primarily struggles) they have grown to be great friends on and off the track for years to come! She was also a teammate of Pat's and has known the two of them since 2013! She is the nicest, most generous, proudest Italian Long Islander there is, but that's why Angel loves her so much. There's no one who would do more for a friend in need, whether it be on the track, in the classroom, or in regards to help with wedding planning. She'll almost be a year into her own marriage by the time August 23, 2020 rolls around and has been a huge help to Angel planning her own.
Kelsey and Angel have known each other since they ended up on the same official visit to Villanova (in 2011)! Little did they know that would lead to being roommates and teammates for their entire tenure there. Kelsey is selfless, kind, hilarious, and fearless - all traits Angel truly admires. She is someone who would give the shirt off her own back to someone in need, while figuring out a way to get another one in the process. She has the biggest heart, and if there is someone who knows Angel well, it's her. Angel has always appreciated Kelsey for her astute observations of the people around them and her honesty when Angel has needed it most. A trait that is hard to find, but one that Angel treasures.
Michaela and Angel have known each other since 2012, when they were both incoming freshmen on the track team together at 'Nova, and then roommates for the next 3 years! They've been best friends ever since! Michaela is kind and always puts others before herself. She's someone you want on your side, and Angel is fortunate to have a friend like her. The two have been asked on countless occasions if they are twins...and when told no, they would disappointedly settle for sisters...which the two would also have to deny. That being said, they quickly became as close as sisters would, and have had to find their way out of a sticky situation or two together, making them closer than anything.
Ajee' and Angel have been training partners in Philadelphia since 2017, and have spent countless hours working together to be the best athletes they can be! Prior to that, they were competitors in high school! She's an incredible athlete, and an even better friend. Ajee' was the first one Angel reached out to when she was deciding to join a training group in Philadelphia. She was patient, kind, and honest about what to expect, and offered her assistance with anything she could. As pictured above, she knows Pat and Angel both very well at this point...even considers herself to be their "child". She will have everyone in stitches the whole night, but there's no one more aware of how other people feel, and always takes that into account. And she's ALWAYS the life of the party.
Kendra and Angel have also been training partners since 2017 in Philadelphia, despite her being a Texan at heart! The two of them work endlessly on the track, and have spent many trips together domestically and internationally chasing their dreams. Kendra is kind, but don't test her...there's a 10/10 chance you won't match up. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. However, finding someone who will do more for a friend would be a challenge. Another member of the group that considers herself a "child" of Angel and Pat, and another one they'd gladly have. She's the wildcard this wedding needs, but not the one it deserves (we aren't worthy)!!
Kimarra and Angel have been training partners since 2017 in Philadelphia. She was once a rival of Angel's when she competed at the University of Tennessee, but has since been a mentor and a close friend! Kimarra is someone that Angel looks up to for insight on experiences and running, as she's probably already done it and done it better than most. She is smart as anything and quick witted, but another one with the kindest heart and loyalty to her friends. Kimarra actually knew Pat before the majority of this bridal party. When she found out the two were talking, she was quick to comment on how the Aussies love a good party...everyone can decide for themselves if she was right.
Raevyn and Angel have been training together in Philadelphia since 2018! The two of them were collegiate competitors when she attended the University of Oregon. She's another Texan with a kind heart and caring personality, and the two have become great friends. Raevyn has the biggest heart, and shows nothing but love and support to her friends. She's another one that will keep the group laughing all day long, but wants nothing more than to see her friends succeed. She's also the one you can count on to plan a friend meet up to get everyone together to catch up. She's a fierce advocate for her friends and Angel has relied on her strength on more than one occasion and she has plenty.
Making his debut as a Best Man, at roughly 6'3", is the brother and best mate of the groom, Jack Tiernan. Pat and Jack grew up together playing every sport imaginable in the backyard. While causing Pat a lot of heartbreak in being beaten by his younger brother of 4 years, these have also formed a majority of Pat's most fond childhood memories. Having Jack move to the US in 2017 to pursue a college degree and running career at Wake Forest has meant more to Pat than his younger brother will ever know. Will claim that he saw this relationship coming before either of the couple did, and you can look for him to be a surprising presence on the dance floor in 2020.
One of Pat's best mates since 2006. Somewhere around 6' and between 0 and 100 kgs, Curran also caused Pat a lot of distress, this time in high school by consistently taking a little part of his soul in the last lap of any track or cross country race the two competed in. Instead of rubbing it in Pat's face, he was very humble and the two became very close mates because of it. Since then, they have remained in contact and always make sure to get a coffee, beer, or a run in when in the same area. Hasn't proven himself to be a factor on the dance floor yet, but look for him to keep the party going WELL after the reception is over. You've been warned.
Was the first of Pat's Aussie mates (besides Jack T) to meet Angel. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to hide the fact that he thought she could do much better. This friendship started in the school band during their first year of high school in 2007. Although clearly the more intellectual being, Aidan did find Pat's sense of humor really hit the spot, and thus a beautiful mateship was formed, and he has remained one of Pat's best mates ever since. Will have a differing opinion on your area of expertise, and has a great chance of winning the debate that will follow.
Easily the feistiest in this lineup. So fiesty he'd even challenge Aidan for academic purposes. Jordy and Pat met in July of 2012 on what could be considered Pat's recruiting trip to Villanova...even though the "visit" consisted of a night out in Melbourne while Pat was underage. He has always claimed he's the reason Pat went to Villanova, and it would be hard to say that's not a little bit true. Since that day, the two have shared many experiences traveling both the US and the world together for mostly track and field purposes. Despite living across the world from each other, and having terrible communication skills, they have managed to remain close mates to this day. Talks a big game on a night out, but is guaranteed to be a let down when it comes to the night's entertainment...also guaranteed to respond if criticized.
Possibly the only one of these seven that could steal the bride on the day. One of the first people to make contact with Pat when he arrived in the US in 2013, even though the two had never met before. For the next 4 years, he would always send encouraging messages and offer a hand of support, which emphasized the motherly instincts that he possesses. The two have made efforts to see each other whenever they have the chance, which often begins with Alex telling Pat he can't have anything to drink, and ends with the two of them flaking on a pre-organized run the next morning. His friendship has meant a lot to Pat, as it was unexpected, and has become a constant form of support. Is a rowdy character, but look for him to waive down a cab well before midnight.
Sam Ellison was a teammate of Pat and Angel's at Villanova, and has become a lifelong friend. If there was a "most likely to succeed" vote in college, Sam would have won unanimously. He is a very talented athlete and was an equally gifted student. Although two years ahead of Angel and Pat in college, he was always there to offer advice. After college, Angel often looked to Sam as someone she could lean on when things got difficult, whether running or otherwise. The same can be said for Pat, although not necessarily through a direct line. Sam has always been someone that Pat has looked up to through the example he has set in all aspects of his life. One the most kind and caring people to set foot in their lives, he is someone that both strive to be like, and the two could not think of a better person to guide them through their first steps of many as husband and wife.