Rachel Brummer '26 Recruiting Profile

Why do I run? It’s a question I get asked all the time by my friends and others. I usually always respond with, “Because I like to, because it makes me happy,” but I believe it is much more complex than that. At first, I started doing volleyball and basketball in middle school, mainly because those were the only sports that my school provided. What I’ve always found the most amusing was that my favorite part about the two sports where when I ran. I enjoyed running and I always did in my free time, especially after school. Many times up to now I’ll run in local races when the opportunity arises, it’s a good way to grow closer to your community and have some competition. In the beginning, running used to be a way for me to escape, but now it’s a way for me to live in the present moment. When my freshman year in high school came around I joined cross country not knowing what to expect, but I’ll just say it was everything that I wanted in a sport. Whether that be the community or the atmosphere the day of a race. From there I knew running was something that I wanted to excel in. 

Every day after volleyball or basketball practices I would get my run in because I knew that those practices weren’t enough to keep me in running shape. Many times I’d feel undetermined, but I knew I had to be stronger than my feelings. Later on that year I joined spring track and made it to state with my 4x800 meter team as a freshman. Thrilled that all our hard work paid off throughout the year. It made me realize that anything is possible no matter how big or small that dream may be. My coaches, my teammates, and my family’s endless support is the reason why I always do my best, because if it wasn’t for them I would not be where I am today. Doing sports collegiately would put my grit, competence, leadership skills, and above all grace through the true test, one I am willing to except with open arms and heart. I want to be the person who is defined by what they love and I love running.