Freshman runner bursts on scene

At the beginning of the season, Coach Erin Howarth named several runners she had high expectations for.

All of those runners were upperclassmen. When talking about the freshman class, she mentioned the fact that the goal for the group freshmen is to get up to speed with the rest of the group — winning would just be an added bonus.

Freshman Emily Brelsfoard, a Bloomington native, has exceeded her coach’s expectations.

Brelsfoard has already made her mark in the Ohio Valley Conference, preceded by a great high school career in track and cross country. The state championship seemed to be a routine trip for Brelsfoard in the past.

“As a freshman, I finished fifth in the 3200, and my first year in cross country as a sophomore, I finished 12th,” Breslfoard said. “I also finished sixth in the 3200 and 1600 my sophomore year. My junior year, I was injured throughout the season, so I finished 11th in the 1600 and 12th in the 3200.”

Following a seventh place finish in the cross country finals in her senior year, and 12th in the 3200, Brelsfoard was left with a choice on what university to attend.

Her hometown college, Illinois State, did not offer her a scholarship; Eastern, however, did.

“After high school, I decided to make my own way,” Brelsfoard said. “Eastern was close to home and was an easy decision to make.”

Since arriving here at Eastern, Breslfoard has already achieved most of her goals.

“My goals were to get a good feel for the program and finish maybe 18th,” Brelsfoard said. “By the time I graduate, I, like most people, want to compete in nationals.”

This year’s championships are at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Lately, Brelsfoard said she has become the protégée of Gabi Duenas-Delaney and Emily Pedziwiatr.

These two red-shirt seniors have been through ups and downs throughout their careers and have become the leaders for this team.

“They’ve been good examples they’re just incredible,” Brelsfoard said. 

Recent success would lead many to believe that Brelsfoard has become a leader herself, but she claims that is not the case.

“People may believe that, but right now, I’m just following typical freshman standards,” Brelsfoard said. “If the team needs me to become a leader, I have no problem doing that.”

Brelsfoard also plans on running track in the fall, which the season begins two weeks after the cross country season ends.

Those two sports, along with academics have created a tight schedule for her.

“I’ve navigated these challenges with hard time management,” Brelsfoard said. “You need to use breaks to your advantage and not slack off.” 

Despite having two first place finishes under her belt already as a freshman, Brelsfoard said she knows she needs to stay focused if she wants to see similar success in her next three years.

“There is so much to improve on,” Brelsfoard said. “I’ve got three years to get myself to my fullest potential.”

Blake Nash can be reached at 581-2812 or banash@eiu.edu. Article Originally from The Daily Eastern News