Mendon record holder Allen running to new opportunity with Goshen College
The graduating Mendon High School senior has been running for what seems like many years, but she finds herself at a spot now where giving up on that running isn't an option. For the next four years, Allen will continue putting in the distance with Goshen College, where she will extend her academic, cross country, indoor and outdoor track careers.
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The Maple Leafs officially welcomed Allen into the fold and are excited for her to be a part of the squad.
"She's a really good person in general. When we recruit, we look for good people, and we definitely see that in her," Goshen associate head coach Lisa Voyles said. "She has 'it.' She's that person who is gonna care about things and has the drive to keep going. She is fine with putting the work in, and I know she's passionate about what she is doing both in sports and academics."
Allen is a multi-sport athlete at Mendon, competing in cross country, track and basketball during her time with the Hornets. Ending up as a collegiate athlete really began when she was in middle school, Allen said, and now she can focus on finishing out high school with her future cemented in Goshen.
Presley Allen, graduating senior at Mendon High School, will continue her academic and running careers with Goshen College.
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"I feel like ever since seventh grade, when I started running year-round, that's when I started to know that I could run in college as well," she said. "It's been a huge goal that I've wanted."
A member of the National Honor Society, Allen said she has some ideas on what she plans to study while at Goshen. For the time being, though, deciding on a major has not officially come to fruition, bu she does know it could be something in the exercise science portion of academia.
Being injured as a sophomore and attending physical therapy helped spark that interest, Allen said.
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When it comes to success, both Allen and Voyles share some qualities. Allen has consistently been one of the better runners in the area during her time in high school, and she plans to continue that in her final spring track season.
Voyles is an eight-time NAIA national champion from her time at Indiana Tech. She was hired by Goshen back in August, making Allen one of her first recruits to campus. Voyles said the process of recruiting has been a learning one but also enjoyable. Goshen has been to the NAIA National Championship in both track and field plus cross country in recent years, a trend they plan to continue.
Presley Allen finished her final race for Mendon in 31st position on Saturday.
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"I really like the coaching staff; they are nice people. I love the campus, and the team was great," Allen said of her time spent with her new colleagues. "They are used to winning, and they take it seriously, but they also make it run, which is great."
As Allen prepares to begin another chapter in her life, she still is holding on before completely turning the page. She will miss her coaches and teammates at Mendon, especially running cross country with her sister, Rowan.
Allen said she's nervous to be out on her own, but she's excited about having teammates with whom to run at Goshen and training through the college process as an athlete.
It will all work out, she believes.
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"I'm excited about running, I know that," she said.
Allen believes she has some unfinished business at Mendon as well. She currently owns the school records for the 5K, the mile and the two-mile runs. She has her sights completely set on taking down the record in the 800 run, which currently sits at 2:19.
Her best in that event is a 2:25. Six seconds away.
"I believe I can do it," Allen said. "I just keep telling myself to keep going."
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Mendon's Presley Allen joins Goshen College running programs
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