While many see running as a burden, senior distance runner Amanda Eller finds it nothing but a pure delight. Approaching graduation from the University, Eller has competed in numerous events in not only cross country for the Hawks, but indoor and outdoor track as well.
Over the past four years, Eller has set a multitude of records at MU. Eller set a Multi-purpose Activity Center (MAC) record in 2010 for her 4×1600 relay in the MAC Classic. She also has a second and third place indoor record in the 800 meter run which set in 2012 with times of 2:13.01 and 2:13.32. She is second in the mile for indoor track with a time of 4:58.57 which she also set in 2012. In the indoor 4×800 meter relay, Eller has both first and second place with 9:02.34 and 9:03.88.
Eller’s expertise in the 4×800 meter relay do not yield at the indoor track, but carry over to the outdoor track as she holds first, second, third, fourth, and fifth place in the school record book.
Eller will graduate with school records in the 800, 1000, 1500, mile, 4×800, distance medley relay and others and a number of NEC Championships.
Head coach of track & field as well as cross country, Joe Compagni, commented on Eller’s work ethic.
“Her greatest accomplishment, though, is simply how far she has come since high school, going from 2:27 in the 800 to 2:10; and from 21 minutes to under 18 minutes for a 5K this year,” Compagni said. “She is the perfect example of what someone can do if they focus on it, work at it, take care of themselves away from the track, and don’t put limits on what can be achieved.”
Most recently, Eller helped MU bring home another indoor Northeast Conference title earlier this month. In the Championship meet, she won the mile with a time of 5:07.78 and won the 800 meter with a time of 2:15.56. Eller was also nominated as track athlete of the week on January 29 along with teammate distance runner Ford Palmer. In addition to all of her accomplishments, Eller set a school record in the 1000 meter run as she finished with a time of 2:52.55 this past weekend.
As Compagni realized this will be his last indoor season with Eller, he reflected on her contribution to the team.
“Amanda has been a tremendous asset to the team in cross country, indoor and outdoor track the last several years,” Compagni said. “Her hard work and discipline have allowed her to improve every year, and she makes those around her better as well.”
Eller became drawn to track her sophomore year of high school when she began to race. “In my sophomore year, I did winter and spring track. I used to play soccer in the fall up until my senior year when I decided to run cross country instead,” said Eller. “I began running because one of my friends ran distance so it was something we could do together. My first race was sophomore year, indoor 4×200 relay.”
Eller also recalled her most memorable race as a Hawk thus far.
“Last year’s NEC Outdoor Championship 4×800 team,” Eller said. “It was a Saturday- Sunday event. We were in second or third and we ended up winning. I was the anchor and everyone was coming up to me afterwards saying ‘good job Amanda.’” Eller also came in first for the 1500 meter run with a finish of 4:27.91 and in the 800 meter with a time of 2:13.21 in the meet.
Eller will be achieving her bachelor’s degree in social work but plans to attend grad school this fall. When asked if she will part ways from running upon graduation, Eller said, “I’ve seen people get tired of running before, but I can’t think of it [running] that way. I get upset thinking this is it. I want to do races to keep me going and run on my own. I don’t want to give it up.”