FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 28, 2022) – The 2022 season was a long one for then freshman
Alyssa Colbert. She began training in the early fall and made her collegiate debut in the spring. Then, due to an explosive season that no one had expected, she was given the opportunity to run as part of the U.S. national team at the U20 World Championships in Cali, Colombia.
"It was super exciting," said Colbert. "It had been a long season, so I went in with the mindset of I want this to happen, but if it doesn't it won't take away from the great season I had. I felt that it was worth it, and it was worth the long season. Just being able to go and compete there was a great experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Colbert was an alternate for the team but ran the anchor leg during the preliminary round. The team finished their race with a time of 43.66, winning their hear by more than a second with a season-best time. Colbert helped to send the U.S. team to the finals where they ran a time of 43.28, taking home the silver medal.
"It was so cool to get to race in the prelims," commented Colbert. "It was so cute because everyone from Colombia and the other countries were trying to take pictures with us. Just being able to represent the U.S. was a super proud moment and I'm glad that I did get the opportunity to run. Finishing the relay and qualifying for finals was a great feeling to end off my freshman year."
Coming back from the World Championships, Colbert has more experience than ever and a newfound hunger to push further. Despite her incredible freshman campaign, she was not able to make it past the NCAA West Regionals. Now, having a year under her belt and getting a taste of success on the world stage, Colbert is ready to settle in for a long season and to do the work it will take to earn her place at Nationals.
"I realize this is what I want to do continuously," said Colbert. "I don't want it to just be the U20, I want to make it to the World Championships and be able to grow. Everyone I met taught me a lot and I learned a lot. Just being able to branch out and talk to people that go to different schools and have different experiences, whether they're in my event group or not, was amazing."
As the 2023 track season looms nearer expectations for Colbert are high. In the 2022 season she was a four-time Big Sky Champion, Big Sky Women's Indoor Co-Most Valuable Athlete, Big Sky Women's Indoor and Outdoor Freshman of the Year, and broke two school records. Although there are a lot of eyes on her, expecting her to be even better, Colbert says that she doesn't let the pressure get to her.
"I'm more relaxed now," commented Colbert. "The only pressure I feel is from myself. I expect the most from myself and I'm my own biggest competition. Now I just know I can do it and I know what it takes to get there. I'm trying to let go of that pressure because it's not beneficial.
"We have the conference championships, and I really don't want my season to end there. I want to go to regionals, nationals, and the U.S. trials. I'm ready for a long season and I'm going to do the work it takes to get there. I really want to contribute in the 200-meter, and the 4x400 relay when needed. My goal is to get to nationals in both indoor and outdoor, and just have the longest season possible."
Colbert returns this year as the top sprinter for the Lumberjack women. She and her teammates will open their season this January, after a training hard to be competitive and make it to the national championships.
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