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Hannah Steelman Transfer To N.C. State Built On Desire To Be 'Pushed'

Published by
DyeStat.com   May 3rd 2020, 4:53pm
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Steelman Looks Forward To Fast Training Group at N.C. State

By Theresa Juva Brown for DyeStat

For Hannah Steelman, the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., last November was a pivotal moment.

Not only did the Wofford College junior finish 23rd and earn all-America honors for the first time in cross country, Steelman, the Terriers’ lone competitor at nationals, saw the excited teams around her and thought: 'How cool would it be to be here with six of my best friends?’ 

In hopes of making that dream a reality, Steelman decided this spring to leave Wofford, a small liberal arts college in Spartanburg, S.C., and transfer to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.  

Steelman, who took third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships in June, will add even more star power to N.C. State's formidable distance squad, which is set to also welcome six of the nation’s top high school female distance runners this fall, including Marlee Starliper and Katelyn Tuohy.

“I want to be surrounded everyday by women who will push me,” Steelman said. “N.C. State has produced many fast and consistent women — the consistency part is huge at this level. The freshmen class is the icing on the cake.”

When Laurie Henes, director of N.C. State’s women’s cross country and track programs, first spoke to Steelman this spring about joining the Wolfpack, it was clear Steelman was grateful for her Wofford experience, but has been longing for company at the top. 

“She’ll make an immediate impact athletically, obviously, but the team aspect is huge to her,” Henes said. “Coming in with the experience she has and her personality, I believe she’ll make a great leader to go with our returning upperclassmen.”

After immediately clicking with Henes during their first phone call a couple months ago, Steelman didn’t seriously consider any other program. 

“We talked for nearly an hour, and it felt like hardly any time had passed at all,” Steelman recalled. “ I like how personable she is, and I admire her coaching philosophy.”

While Steelman is excited for the future, she acknowledges that it’s been hard to remain patient as the world weathers the COVID-19 crisis, which has put competitive sports at all levels on hold until further notice. (The NCAA canceled all spring sports March 12, but it has offered athletes another spring season of eligibility. Steelman says she's unsure if she will use it.) 

“I’m eager to get back to normal life, but I know that will take a while,” Steelman said. "For now, I’m trying to focus on controlling what I can control and being present in the moment."

She’s currently at home with her family in South Carolina, finishing her Wofford semester online, keeping up with her training and staying hopeful about a fall cross country season. 

“I know I will be able to compete again eventually, and it’s going to feel so good whenever that day comes,” she said.



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