WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN YOUR RUNNING CAREER?

My biggest accomplishments so far have been winning my first national title and setting the 3000-meter American record.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RUNNING?

I started running in middle school. My grandpa and both of my parents ran, so it was definitely in the family. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a runner or not, so I tried my hand at several other sports and eventually circled back to running. In the beginning I wasn’t sure if I was going to run in college, but by the end of my freshman year of high school I won state and after that my mindset changed. Running in college became a huge goal and motivating factor for me to work toward. Some college coaches would tell me, “You’re not going to make our varsity” or “You’re not going to be a good fit for our team,” but I just kept my head high and patiently waited for a coach that believed in me. I never imagined I would could run for Nike one day or have a shot at the Olympics — but that’s certainly the ultimate goal in our sport.