Coming off a successful season last fall, College of Saint Benedict senior cross-country runner Alyx Chapman (Stillwater, MN, Stillwater Area) knew she would be looked upon to lead this season’s squad. That is exactly what she has done from the very beginning this fall.
“We have a very experienced group this year, so I knew that with hard work we would have the opportunity to have a great year”. Chapman continued, “Whenever you are able to return six of your top seven runners from a year ago, the expectations are going to be high. I can honestly say this is one of the most talented, and motivated cross country teams I have ever been an athlete on. I feel very honored that I have had the opportunity to train with each of these women. The addition of the first years to our team has brought a new sort of vitality and competition to the program. My teammates willingness to sacrfice their time and energy to work hard and achieve personal and team goals has been outstanding this year. I know we have all pushed eachother to become better athletes and students.”
Chapman has recorded the lowest time for the Blazers in all three of their scoring meets. She started off the year with a 13th place finish at the 5k National Catholic Invite in South Bend, IN with a time of 19:22.
“The meet in South Bend was a team bonding experience.” Chapman went on to say, “Taking fifth out of twenty-four teams was a great start to our season. There were a lot of experienced teams at the meet, so it was good to go there and have a good showing.”
Chapman followed up her performance in Indiana with an 18th place finish at the 6k BluGold Invitational at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire, posting a time of 23:16. Chapman then went on to post a time of 23:12 at the Tori Neubauer Invitational in La Crosse, Wisconsin, good for 42nd overall in a field of 27 teams. Her time of 23:12 was good for the fifth best 6K time in Blazer cross country history.
“The success I've had this season so far has been great, and I owe much of it to my parents, my coach Robin and my teammates. At Notre Dame I mentally made the decision to become an athlete not just a participant and I know that is what has made the difference in the rest of my races.” Chapman went on to say, “Racing at Notre Dame I posted an all-time personal record 5k time. A few weeks later in Eau Claire I ran my all time 6k personal record and followed it up by improving my all time personal record in the 6k at Lacrosse. I try to expect myself to run the fastest I can every time I step on the line because that is what I expect my teammates to do, because I know they can. Knowing that there are thirty-plus Blazers that have all trained with me and want it as bad as I do helps me to achieve new personal record's.”
The most crucial meet of the season,the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) championships, were held on October 31st in Como Park, MN. Every meet over the course of the season leads up to this race. Chapman looked forward to this meet more than any.
“The Conference Championship race is important for a few different reasons. First of all, it is the last time our entire team was on the line together. It was also the last time most of our team would have the chance to break their personal 6k records.” Chapman went on to say, “In a race as crucial as the Conference Championships, you can't allow yourself to have any regrets. I feel that we can honestly say we gave it our best effort at the meet. We had been working for this all season and the time to show the conference what tools we have is what this sport is all about.”
Chapman had a great showing at the MIAC meet, placing 13th out of 229 athletes and was named an All-MIAC runner. Finishing up her senior season on a high note is fitting, being that she has lead the Blazer runners all fall. With great leadership from Chapman, the Blazer cross country team has enjoyed another productive season.