glo Girl Erin Elizabeth Strzelecki

glo GIRL

ERIN ELIZABETH STRZELECKI

Erin Elizabeth Strzelecki is a recent graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School and was recently awarded the 2019-20 Gatorade Indiana Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year Award for her outstanding athletic ability, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character. When asked what this award meant to her, Erin said it meant she is more than just a runner; it meant she was appreciated for her other qualities.

“I am a student who strives for academic excellence,” Erin said. “The Bishop Dwenger administration always urges students to never settle for mediocrity in and outside of the classroom. If I even thought about attending a University like Notre Dame, then I needed to establish a drive for academic achievement just like my drive and passion for running. Throughout my years in high school, I was inducted into the National Honors Society along with attaining Academic Honors all four years. And while on the cross-country team, I was fortunate enough to consistently reach my athletic goals for not only myself but also for my team, which led me to win a state title my senior year.”

Through winning this award, Erin received a $1,000 grant to donate to an organization of her choosing.

“When I was told that I could donate $1,000 to any organization of my choice, I immediately thought of Turnstone,” she said. “Not only do I love and appreciate their central purpose, but because Bishop Dwenger does not own an indoor track, Turnstone has also generously allowed my team and me to utilize their facilities during our indoor track seasons.”

When Erin reflects on winning the girls cross country state title in the fall of 2019, she remembers just how amazing it was, knowing none of it could have gone any better.

“Having my team there along with so many friends, family, and relatives who drove to Terre Haute to express genuine encouragement and to support me, really made me feel so appreciated and loved for who I am,” she said. “I had never felt so overwhelmed with joy and love.”

Erin is currently attending Notre Dame, and feels incredibly blessed and fortunate to have received a very generous athletic scholarship.

“I ultimately chose to attend Notre Dame because I immediately felt at home with the Notre Dame family,” she said. “While on my official visit there, each member of the cross-country team I met was genuine and personable. Now that I am here, this has not changed one bit.”

This 18-year-old cross-country phenom first joined the team when she was a freshman in high school and admits she did not initially love running as much as she does now.

“Since then I have grown to love running not for the achievements it has brought me, but for all the amazing people I have encountered and friendships I have formed through it,” she said. “My high school cross country team was like my family and still is even though I’m in college now!”

In addition to supportive friends, Strzelecki said her two younger siblings, Ana and Ella, and her incredibly supportive and loving parents have been there for her every step of the way.

“Every cross country/track meet, every awards banquet, and every college visit, always providing me with nothing but support for the sport that I love,” Erin said. “I am just so thankful I’ve been given the opportunity to run and have had the support of so many along the way.” a

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