A record-setting standout for the first University of Delaware women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Mary Schilly moved on to a stellar career as one of the top distance runners in the United States. A native of Wilmington, DE and a 1981 Delaware graduate, Mary twice competed at the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) outdoor nationals for the Blue Hens in the mile run in 1979 and 1980, placed fifth in the 1,500 meters at the 1980 EAIAW outdoor regionals, and established still-standing school records in the indoor 880-yard (2:17.9) and mile (4:51.6) runs and in the outdoor 880-yard run (2:21.0) and 1,500 meters (4:23.0). Following her career at Delaware, Mary enjoyed outstanding success as one of the world's top distance runners. She competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials three times, won a gold medal in the 3,000 meters at the 1987 Pan Am Games, and was national champion in the 3,000 meters at the U.S. Track and Field Outdoor Championships in 1986 and 1987. She now resides in West Chester, PA with her husband, Dan Knisely (a former swimmer at the University of Delaware), and their children, Justin (12) and Savannah (11). She is a licensed physical therapist.
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