The Observer, April 21, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25
Donnelly learns life lessons, makes friendships through running at Case
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Of the many words available to describe her stay at Case, Alison Donnelly chose to describe it as "a rollercoaster." While she was referring to life at Case, the description is particularly appropriate when considering her athletic pursuits here. Donnelly competes in cross country and the steeplechase, the two running events that have their participants barreling at high speeds over obstacles and up and down terrain.
Donnelly says she came to Case four years ago because "it was the best school for sciences of the colleges to which I applied and was accepted." She has been running ever since.
Of her two sports, cross country is her first love, and she asserts there are none better. But what keeps her competing in both is her love of running.
"I think I would be pretty crazy to run as much as I do if I wasn't crazy about running," Donnelly said.
She chose to compete at Case not just for the running, but for the people.
"It was about the team. It's just not the same trying to keep up a daily routine alone," Donnelly said. "Plus, once you meet the crazy bunch, you just cannot get enough of them. I have met my closest friends through cross country, friends that I will keep in touch with and which will be a part of some of my fondest memories at Case."
While love of running is what gets her excited, she is not running just to run but running to win, and that mindset has brought her a lot of success here. In 2004, just her sophomore season at Case, she finished fourth at the conference championship meet. In cross country, she has been a team leader and has been a top-five runner just about since she showed up on campus. She was one of the leaders of the women's team that finished fourth at regionals last fall.
Her best memories of cross country here at Case include "finishing fourth for the women in our region in 2005 and when the men qualified for nationals in 2003."
In track, she just became an outdoor runner this year. In previous years, she had competed in indoor track, running the 800, one mile, 3000, and 5000, depending on the meet. This year she has concentrated on her best event in outdoor, the 3000m steeplechase.
The steeplechase is not an event that non-runners know much about, but there are hurdles that do not fall over when hit and a jump over a pool of water.
Donnelly has had success competing in the steeplechase. Reflecting on her outdoor track career, Donnelly pointed out two of her favorite aspects.
"The steeplechase is always the first event, which is always nice," Donnelly said. "Also, finally getting a home track for my senior year was a welcome change."
Track has given her a lot of memories too.
"Spring Break, the Fat Man Relay, hot runners in cages, and never breaking anything in my attempts to steeplechase, yet, are pretty good memories," Donnelly said.
Donnelly has been competing at Case since she showed up. She has learned some lessons from the school and from athletics and has met people that will be friends for the rest of her life.
"I've learned to accept an otherwise failing grade as a 'B,' to balance a demanding athletic schedule with equally demanding academics, to enjoy the company of some crazy athletes, and to make the best of what is here rather than sit around and complain about it," Donnelly said.
