In their decorated high school careers, Lisa and Xenia Raye have been accustomed to winning in their respective events. On Wednesday afternoon, the West Warwick (RI) sprinters achieved a first of a different kind.
The gifted duo officially inked a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with On, becoming the Swiss-based company’s first two sprint stars to represent their brand and their No. 2 and No. 3 high school athletes. Addy Ritzenhein of Niwot (CO), the Gatorade National Girls Cross-Country Player of the Year for 2023-24, signed with the athletic shoe and performance sportswear company back in April.
“We are both very excited,” Xenia Raye said. “We are excited to be working with this brand and helping them grow when it comes to the sprint aspect.”
“I am excited about the opportunity to represent On,” Lisa Reye said. “My goal is to help On achieve next level success and to elevate brand success throughout the country and the world.”
On couldn’t have chosen two better ambassadors to promote their brand, now and in the future. It’s appears abundantly clear that the talented siblings are destined for greatness as collegians and beyond once they graduate from West Warwick in the next two years.
Since the winter of 2023, Team Raye has led the Wizards to the last four state titles for indoor and outdoor track. During their careers, they have earned an abundance of accolades at the state, regional and national level.
Lisa Raye, a junior, has already racked up 13 individual/relay state titles and 10 state records in events ranging from the 55-meter dash to the 300m, including the hurdles and relays. The highlight of her career, of course, occurred in mid June on track & field’s biggest stage at Franklin Field. It was at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic stadium that Raye won the 100m and 200m at the New Balance Nationals, both times in record fashion with PRs of 11.26 seconds and 22.77, respectively. The latter was a nation-leader for the 2023-24 Gatorade Rhode Island Track & Field Player of the Year.
Xenia Raye, a senior, is a multiple all-stater and the two-time defending state 400m titlist with a best of 54.73 from the championship meet last spring. She has been a state runner-up in five sprint events won by her younger sister. Along with Lisa, she also spearheaded the team to a New England title and state record in the 4x100m relay at the New England Championships on June 10 where the quartet combined for a time of 47.47.
Here’s a few details about their NIL deal with On. Any gear, other than the shoes, cannot be worn at any events sponsored by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL). In other words, the class and state championships. The gear can be worn at any other meets that are not associated with the RIIL.
The season will kick of for the Raye sisters a few days before Christmas with the Beantown Winter Classic, held Dec. 21-22 at the TRACK at new balance in Boston. There’s also the VA Showcase in Virginia Beach, Jan. 17-19. In April, they’ll participate in the On-sponsored Penn Relays Carnival. “We got a few that were looking at (this winter) at Texas or Texas A&M and a couple of meets in Florida down the road.” said Lionel Raye, Xenia and Lisa’s dad and strength coach. “We’re going to be pretty busy.”
In the summer, the Raye sisters will be traveling to Switzerland.
“They’ll be training there and going to the On headquarters,” Lionel Raye said. “They have a lot of ideas and feedback for On as far as what they can do better and what would be trendy for teenagers in terms of colors and footwear. They have a ton of ideas that they’re already journaling.”
