Episode 66 - Kassie Parker
Both National Champs in the same week? Kassie Parker won the 2021 Women’s Individual National Title on Saturday by running a D3 Course record down in Louisville. Kassie made her way to the front of the race from the start and never looked back. She was joined by Evie Miller for about 3k, which was the longest she had someone trailing her in a D3 race. While it wasn’t the time she wanted to run that day, she’ll be back next year to take a stab at sub 20:00 for the 6k. Even after the victory, Kassie mentions it wasn’t the best executed race and that leaves her excited for another attempt. This was Kassie’s second time on D3 Glory Days as she was on the Track Contenders episode last spring. In Today’s episode, we go back to learn how she went from University of Iowa’s club track to a 2x National Champion.
Kassie found herself at a big state school, University of Iowa, running on their club team and wanting to be better at running. Her HS PBs of 4:59(1500), 10:49 (3000), and 20:20 didn’t get her much attention from around Iowa. Yet, her past visit to Loras kept coming back up. As she decided she would transfer to Loras, she took a look at the D3 Record book and decided that she was going to break a D3 National Record. She’s unsure of where this confidence comes from, but attributes it to thinking nothing is impossible to accomplish.
Once at Loras, she took the training well and began dropping big PRs. The reality of what she was accomplishing so quickly didn’t set in as she thought it was normal to have 1+ minute PRs during the season. With these new PRs, she was ready to take on her first collegiate cross country season. She wasn’t afraid to mix up in the front pack and would find herself in the Top 5 at most races. She ended that season as 31st, earning her first All-America award.
Kassie is a unique National Champion as she spends her weeks running 5 days a week and cross-training the other two. Her background in Triathlons helps her while she cross-trains but is a big catalyst in keeping herself healthy.
Kassie confirms she will be using her remaining eligibility (1 XC season, 1 Indoor, 2 Outdoor) at Loras as a Graduate student. We’re not sure D3 was ready to hear that news.
Thank you goodr
A huge thanks to goodr for coming on and partnering with us. I hope you were able to get a pair of sunglasses at the National Meet! If you didn’t get a pair National Meet, go to goodr.com and save 15% by using code GLORYDAYS at checkout.
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Quotes
On her sudden rise during her first track season Loras:
"I think that's also where I get my confidence from. Like, if they can do it, I can do it. So I don't think anything is impossible.”
On what the National Title meant to her:
“There was a lot working up towards the moment, just feeling confident that I could go out and win. It brought it all together when I crossed the finish line. Kind of like a little puzzle. It was the last piece of the puzzle for the season.”
On what’s next after winning a National title:
“I don't think that now that you're a national champion, that you're just going to maintain. I think the goal is to get better and go above and beyond those limits.”
On Breaking D3 National Records:
“So before I transferred, I actually found myself scrolling through the D3 all time list, and I was like, I want to do that. And when I set my mind on something, I just work as hard as I can to get there. So that's in the back of my head for the upcoming season, especially for the 10K.”
On staying at Loras to finish out her eligibility:
“All my friends and family are here and I feel more comfortable in Dubuque than transferring to a D1 school. As great as it would be, there are goals and D3 records that I can progress to here.”