Colony runner makes dash to Division I

PALMER — When she first started running as a freshman at Colony High, Audrey Michaelson didn’t put much thought into a running career after high school, let alone the Division I level.

But that’s exactly where the Colony senior will be next year.

Michaelson has signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Loyola University-Chicago, where she will run for the Division I Ramblers cross-country running and track and field teams.

“I’m so unbelievably excited,” Michaelson said. “I’m very nervous too, but thrilled, so thrilled.”

During her time with the Knights, Michaelson has established herself as one of the state’s top runners in both sports. Michaelson capped a stellar cross-country running career in the fall with a runner-up finish in both the Region III and 4A state championship races. On the track, Michaelson is a back-to-back state champion in the girls’ 3,200 meters. She also won a state title in the 1,600 meters last season.

“Audrey is going to be a wonderful addition to the squad,” Ramblers head coach Randy Hasenbank said in a press release issued by the Loyola athletic department. “Not only is she a state champ with numerous all-state honors, she will be a terrific teammate. She has managed to run some very fast times considering an Alaska high school outdoor track season is not very long. Audrey is very strong and has tremendous range. She has earned all-state honors from 800 meters to 5-(kilometers).”

Mark Strabel, Michaelson’s coach in both cross-country and track, has seen Michaelson’s potential since she started running with the Knights.

“I still remember the one thing I told her as a freshman in track, the only thing holding you back is yourself,” Strabel said.

Strabel said once Michaelson began to realize her talent, the progress was consistent and significant.

“It’s something I know she didn’t realize as a freshman,” Strabel said. “But she’s grown to come to realize it.”

Strabel said he’s looking forward to see Michaelson’s development as a college runner.

“I see a lot of runners running in college. These are the top runners in the nation, and seeing what she’s doing, (Audrey) can run with them,” Strabel said. “It’s going to be really cool when she gets into a program where the other women are just as fast as she is. She’s definitely going to grow off that and get faster.”

Strabel predicts Michaelson’s biggest gains will be in track, and said he expects her to do very well in events such as the 3,000 steeplechase or 5,000 meters.

Michaelson said she looks forward to running in both seasons at the college level.

“I’m super excited about that,” she said. “Honestly, both have their own special place in my heart.”

While she is excited to become a Division I athlete, Michaelson didn’t approach the recruiting process with a Division I or bust attitude. Proving that, Michaelson’s final two choices were Division I Loyola and Carroll College, an NAIA school in Montana. Michaelson said she focused on what the school offered as a whole — academics, athletics, campus, teammates, coaches — rather than fixating on the division level.

With all considered, she chose Loyola.

“The program really turned out to be perfect,” she said. “I really loved it when I visited in October. The coaches really focused on the talent they have and developing the talent they have. That’s why I feel so comfortable. I know it’s going to be different, but I’m excited for that.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.