Post-College
I ran my first race in over a year and a half, exactly a year from the day I medically retired from college running. This was not planned, but God works in cool ways. I took a little trip to Pensacola to take advantage of a great opportunity to get experience and get a weekend trip, and I ended up coming away with a third-place female finish! I had not been doing any real structured training since an injury, moving, and starting my job with the Jaguars that summer, so breaking an hour for my first 15k (59:37; 6:23 pace) was not at all what I expected!
The running scene in Jacksonville is incredible, so I got to run several more great races that spring and summer, including a 22-hour, three-race series, where I also came home with a third place prize. (Also shoutout to Anthony Duran at San Marco Strong and Paul McRae at PRS for some great workouts and community!)
I've jumped in a few races since I moved to Macon, including a cross country 5k on the course I ran my last college conference meet on. Never thought I'd put spikes on, especially on grass, again! In February, I ran a race the morning of the busiest work day of the year, setting a post-college PR before going straight to work to shower, work a baseball game and basketball senior day, all of which were Ws.
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College
My college running career began (better late than never) my junior year after transferring from Lipscomb University and Walters State Community College. In 2018, I was second on our team at conference and helped us to a runner-up finish to one of the top teams in the country, Furman. In indoor track in 2019, I set a new PR in the 5k and was in the top 10 at conference.
In my senior year, I was the leader during cross country season and set a new XC PR of 17:40 at the Louisville Classic. I also set a 6k PR at the NCAA South Region in Tallahassee. In October of this season, I got my first college XC win at the Berry Invitational in Georgia. At conference, I placed in the top ten, again receiving All-Conference honors. In indoor track, I set a new 5k PR at the conference meet placing 5th in 17:20 before the season and school year (on-campus) were cut short by Covid. That was extra disappointing being in my best shape yet and qualifying for the Tennessee Relays and Raleigh Relays.
Both years I made the Dean's List and achieved a 3.97 GPA, as well as making the SoCon All-Academic Team. I was a member and social media manager of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and in January 2022, I represented all the athletes of the Southern Conference at the NCAA Convention in Indianapolis. I was also involved in FCA and was in intern in our strength and conditioning department.
It was such a blessing to continue with the team for grad school, however, due to lingering covid restrictions, injuries, and anemia, I didn't get to compete much. In these two years, my faith grew, I learned a lot, and I got to lead my team and other athletes at UTC in different ways. It wasn't at all what I imagined, but God had a different plan. Thankfully, I am still running, lifting, and loving it, and I plan on hopping in more races and starting triathlons soon!
High School
In high school, I was a leader both on and off the field on our cross country team from the time I joined as a freshman. We were historically a successful program, and my years there were no different. We won back-to-back state championships my sophomore and junior years, and my freshman and senior years we still made the podium despite illnesses and injures hampering our full potential. Off the race course, I coordinated Bible studies, parties, and optional workouts to help bring us closer together.
Personally, I earned many recognitions including:
2 x XC Conference Champion, 2 x XC Region Champion and held records for both
4 x All-Conference, 4 x All-Region, 3 x All-State
2014 Conference and Region 1600 and 3200m champion
School 5k, 2000m steeplechase, 3200m, 2 mile, and 1600m record holder
Milesplit US National Runner of the Week (August 2014)
Running Times Magazine Runner of the Month (September 2014)
PrepXtra Runner of the Year (2013)
Indoor 2 mile state champion and national qualifier (2015)
2 x State steeplechase champion (2015, 2016) and national qualifier
2012 All-South Footlocker Freshman/Sophomore (2nd place)
2015 All-South Second Team at Footlocker
Academically, I earned the AP Scholar Award for scoring a 4 or 5 on at least 3 exams (I scored a 4 on two, and a 5 on 5; was Business Editor of the Yearbook; Who's Who; and scored a 31 on the ACT with a 35 in English with writing.
Team fun run to Chick-fil-a for National Cow Appreciation Day
Bible Study Brunch Buffet at my house after summer practice
State Champions
PrepXtra Runner
of the Year
