Dallas Stricker '25 Recruiting Profile

I grew up raised in a “running family.” My older sisters and brother all ran at the college level. My father is a track and cross-country coach at my school who hosts many road races for local runners each year. From my first 5k at age 4 I have learned to love this sport with a heart-felt passion. I have done races as long as 26.2 miles and I have achieved respectable times. Distance running has been my families way of life for as long as I can remember.  

Recently in February of 2023, while learning the pole vault, I dislocated my knee. Until that point I was running at 16:40 with a personal record of 16:22 for a 5k on USATF certified courses. I earned many state titles in the mile and 2-mile events as well. I was fortunate and felt successful in this sport to this point. This injury stopped my running in a matter of a second with a simple mis-step. I was humbled and I was unable to run effectively for almost 6 months. The devastation I felt at this loss only fueled my determination to recover from this injury and return to my prior (and then better) times. I focused my training on cross-training, non-running cardio training, strength training, and physical therapy guided rehabilitation of my knee. My daily workouts changed, but my goals remained the same while my resolve to return to my sport strengthened. I was determined to not lose all prior progress and to continue achieving personal record times. When I was finally medically cleared, I hit the road with passion and enthusiasm to return to my prior times. I am now consistently under 16:50 on my 5K and over the 2023 Thanksgiving weekend I completed a half marathon in competition with a personal record of 1 hour 20 minutes on a USATF certified course. Through hard work and determination, I feel I have returned to the same competition level I was at pre-injury. This injury taught me how to cope with adversity and problems outside of my control. Recovering from this injury reaffirmed my passion for distance running.  

I want to follow in my older siblings’ footsteps and run in college. I have heard many stories from them about their opportunities and I wish to continue to grow and mature in this sport while experiencing some of those opportunities for myself. If given the chance to run in college I promise hard work, dedication, resilience (even in the face of injury), mental fortitude, and a great attitude. This sport has been part of my life since age 4 and a part of my family’s life since before I was born. I am asking for a chance to continue competing in this sport, but at a collegiate level with a coach that can help me continue to grow.