By Sarah Hoormann, SAC Media Relations Office

This is one of a series of articles that will periodically feature student-athletes from the league's member institutions who have distinguished themselves. This SAC Spotlight, written by SAC intern Sarah Hoormann, profiles Rachel Retallic, who runs cross country and track for Mars Hill.

Mars Hill’s Rachel Retallick knows what she wants and goes out and gets it.

Retallick has accomplished many things while attending Mars Hill. She is a well-rounded individual excelling in athletics, academics, and in community service.

Retallick has accomplished many things while attending Mars Hill. She is a well-rounded individual excelling in athletics, academics, and in community service. On top of all these endeavors, Rachel runs between seven to 12 miles per day and between 45 and 49 miles a week.

Her honors include first team All-SAC and SAC women’s cross country Scholar-Athlete in 2003. She is the recipient of the Grayson Scholar Scholarship, which is the highest honor for a Mars Hill student. She has been on the Dean’s list and SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester at Mars Hill College. Retallick is the also the first freshman cross country runner in the history of the school to earn individual Academic All-American Honors.

“It was really an honor to receive a national award such as being named to the Academic All-American Team,” Retallick said.

Retallick has a full academic plate. She is majoring in Biology and Pre-Med while maintaining a 3.94 GPA. By taking 28 college credit hours in high school, she entered Mars Hill as a sophomore and achieved senior status in her second year. She continues to take anywhere from 19 to 21 credit hours each semester.

When asked how she does it all, her answer was, “Being really dedicated and knowing what you have to do. Since high school, I have set goals and balanced priorities.”

Volunteering is one of Retallick’s priorities. She volunteers for Mountain Hopes, a therapeutic equestrian center for handicapped children; Habitat for Humanity; Mission St. Joseph’s Hospital; and is an active member in her church.

On top of her scholastic and community service endeavors, Rachel runs between seven to 12 miles per day and between 45 and 49 miles a week.

Mars Hill cross country coach Mike Owens had nothing but positive comments about his student athlete.

“She is a good role model,” Owens said.

He also said that she now runs three minutes faster per mile than she did during her days in high school.

“When she came here she was a good runner. Now she is an awesome runner,” Owens said.

She has two top-five finishes in four meets this season. She was the top Mars Hill finisher at the Stegemoller Classic in Evansville, Ind., where this year’s national championship race will be held.

Retallick has had a history of turning her ankles and persevered through it. “It’s is hard to keep her from training,” Owens said. She even stated herself that, “I took a couple of days off. I didn’t want to, they made me.”

When the interview was over, Rachel called back to say some things she did not want to say in front of Coach Owens.

“We have awesome coaches that go out of their way to make things happen,” Retallick said. “It’s not just about running, we can go to the coaches with personal problems.”

Mars Hill has enjoyed much success in cross country for several years. Rachel contributes this to several factors.

“A lot of it has to do with hard work.” Retallick said, “The team is kind of a family and we work well together.” Another factor is, “the coaches push us really hard.”

The success of the Mars Hill cross country team has allowed them to participate in the NCAA Division II national championship.

“It was a good experience,” Retallick said. “It was overwhelming because you see a lot of amazing runners but you develop an understanding of where you stand among the nation’s best.”

After receiving her bachelors degree Rachel Retallick plans on going to medical school with a goal to specialize in either sports medicine or orthopedic surgery.

Normally med school is another five years of education, but in true Rachel fashion, she wants to get it done in four years.