Cross-country and track

Middle distance, mainly the 800m and 1500m events

High school: All-State for three years in track and an All-American at the Nike national meet in the 4 x 800 meter relay my senior year. College: Captain of the cross-country and track teams. All-Academic during the 2008 track season.

I chose to attend Hillsdale College because of my visit to the campus my senior year. A combination of the athletes and professors that I met on the visit made it an easy choice. I knew that Hillsdale College was somewhere I could be challenged academically, athletically and spiritually by my professors, coaches and peers. Now, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. It has exceeded my expectations.

I am a member of the Sigma Zeta and Beta Beta Beta honoraries and am involved with the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), Athletes in Action, and Hillsdale Christian Fellowship. I also volunteer at the Hillsdale Community Health Center and am a youth leader at the Hillsdale Free Methodist Church.

I have met my closest friends on both the cross-country and track teams. The friendships that I've built after spending countless hours at practice and meets have provided me with an irreplaceable foundation of support for my goals both on and off the track. It's also been a privilege to continue to compete at the collegiate level with such dedicated coaches and at a higher level of competition.

Discipline and staying on top of all the little things. Another huge advantage is how the Hillsdale professors and coaches work together to allow you to excel in both areas when the travel or practice schedules conflict with classes.

Definitely the regional cross-country meet my sophomore year. It was a combination of some great memories with the team and running a personal best in the 6K.

aluke@hillsdale.edu