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 a 5:25 1500m high school runner became 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 5:25 (1500), 11:39 (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 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. goodr sunglasses are $25, non slip sunglasses that are stylish and make you run goodr. They provide 100% UV Protection and are 100% Polarized. Not only that they are a 100% carbon neutral company and give back 1% to the Planet. They're our favorite running sunglasses so go get yourself a pair! Support D3 Glory Days Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! If you would like to help support the podcast or say thanks to our writers, please consider making a donation on the D3 Glory Days Venmo. This helps offset some costs, hosting services, and help out our new writers. If you want to rep D3 Glory Days on your next run, head to our Merch Store. And finally, follow us on social media! We’re on Instagram, Twitter and Strava.