Freshman mathematics major Alex Boyle, has been shattering records including her own this season and is one of the team’s strongest distance runners this school has seen in a while. Boyle, while it’s still early in their career, believes that there is still plenty of time to get even better and reach the, “potential my coaches see in me.” 

Boyle ran three years of cross country and one of track and field in high school. One of those years, they won the El Camino cross country varsity girls MVP award. Boyle brings a lot of intensity to the team, but reminds everyone that this is still a team sport. Boyle said, “despite track and field seeming like such an individual sport there is a great team aspect behind it. I know that I couldn’t have gotten here without my team and that they deserve so much more recognition, applause, and appreciation than I could ever describe.” 

One of Boyle’s favorite parts of being part of the team is that they’re constantly being pushed by peers. Boyle has had a special passion for running for years now. They said, “My passion for running has come from the people around me and how running has made me feel. There is just something so different about being in the mix of a pack of runners and knowing that it is a fight of one’s pure strength and endurance ’til the end. It’s, as my friend would put it, a very ‘main-character’ moment, and a rush that I can’t just help chasing. Additionally, having others around that completely understand such a unique experience, and uplift you farther than you thought possible is just the cherry on top.” Boyle believes that hard work and dedication plays a big role in being a member on the team. 

Other than track and field, Boyle has many other hobbies they indulge in. “Some of my hobbies are making and planning art projects, and reading. Back home, I also like to collect rocks and shells at the beach, although I have begun to pick this back up here and am starting quite the collection on my windowsill if I do say so myself, “ said Boyle. Boyle’s home next to sunny San Diego is known for its beaches. 

A typical day for Boyle: “starts off early with practice before class and then depending on the day more classes or practice in the afternoon. In between, I eat, talk with some of my teammates or classmates, and just do little things to get ready for the days ahead. On the weekends, I usually meet up with some of the other distance girls for a run, if we don’t have a meet, and then relax and recoup before the week starts again.” Although this may seem like a typical athlete’s day, it’s even more important for members of the track and field team to take proper care of their bodies due to the strenuous work they participate in, on a day to day basis. 

This past weekend, the girls track and field team took first place in the CSU East Bay Invitational. The Seawolves took first among 15 other teams, winning five different events. Amongst the team was Boyle themselves. 

Boyle is looking to keep the recent success rolling into the next meet. “My goal is to keep improving, hitting personal bests, and reaching the potential that my coaches see in me. I also hope to keep making wonderful memories with the people around me so that when I think about the good times it’s not just personal records.” This week, you can find Boyle trying to achieve that goal at the Cal State LA Twilight open and the Beach invitational in Long Beach on April 13, 14 and 15.