NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Former women's cross country and track and field standout
Alison Bode '25 was St. Olaf College's nominee for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year and Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year awards.
A four-time All-American during her career at St. Olaf, Bode was nominated for both awards after concluding her decorated career on The Hill this spring, graduating as a double-major in chemistry and mathematics. For both awards, Bode will be among the candidates under consideration for endorsement by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC to move forward in the process.
"Through my experience as a student-athlete at St. Olaf, I was able to become a person with the ability to successfully balance a variety of commitments and activities," Bode said. "I had the opportunity to compete at a high level athletically throughout the academic year while also focusing on academics and participating in clubs. I am grateful to have been part of an athletics program that encouraged me to learn how to balance all these things with my commitment to athletics and my team."
At St. Olaf, Bode was a four-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American, earning three All-America accolades in track and field and one in cross country. She placed seventh in the 10,000-meter run as a senior, eighth as a sophomore, and ninth as a junior, while finishing 34th in cross country as a senior. Bode also earned 10 combined USTFCCCA All-Region accolades, two MIAC individual titles, 10 All-MIAC awards, and six Honorable Mention All-MIAC accolades during her career, while setting the school record in the 10,000-meter run. She also ranks in the top four on the track and field program's all-time performers' list in the outdoor 5,000-meter run, indoor 5,000-meter run, and indoor 3,000-meter run.
Bode graduated from St. Olaf in May as a double-major in chemistry and mathematics with a 3.63 cumulative grade-point average. She was a three-time Academic All-MIAC honoree in both track and field and cross country, a seven-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete, and a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection. Bode also engaged in analytical chemistry research on campus, was involved with the figure skating club, performed research in a lab at Mayo Clinic, and volunteered for Girls on the Run and Northfield Winter Walk.
"I see the connections I have made being a part of this team as one of the most valuable parts of my college experience," she added. "The community and support I have received are what motivates me to succeed both athletically and in all aspects of my life. The sport of distance running has proven to me first-hand the value of consistency, hard work, and dedication. This experience will have an impact on my mindset when facing challenges or working towards goals far beyond college athletics."
