ACADEMIC AWARDS: Earned WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll "gold" honors in 2015-16 ... A Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete in 2015-16.
PEPPERDINE OUTDOOR TRACK 2016 (SO): Competed at two meets ... Ran the 3,000 meters twice with a best of 11:52.60 at UC Irvine (3/19) ... Did not compete at either indoor meet.
PEPPERDINE OUTDOOR TRACK 2015 (FR): Ran at the first six meets of the season ... Competed in the 5,000 meters three times (best of 20:04.60 at Pomona-Pitzer on 4/4), the 3,000 meters twice (best of 11:39.00 at Westmont on 2/21) and the 1,500 once (5:25.99 at the Ben Brown Invitational on 3/14).
PEPPERDINE XC 2015 (SO): Competed at three meets ... Best 5k was 19:21.77 at the Highlander Invitational.
PEPPERDINE XC 2014 (FR): Did not run cross country this season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was home schooled (graduated in 2014) ... Ran a year of track in the Home School Athletic Association, focusing on the 400, 800 and 1,600 ... Also played soccer ... Was a member of the National Honor Society ... Ran five half-marathons before enrolling at Pepperdine in January 2015.
PERSONAL: Born in Dallas, Texas ... Daughter of Clay and Salli Whitaker ... Has one sibling, Hayden ... Majoring in sports medicine ... Chose Pepperdine because "it is a great combination of excellent academics and quality Christian values."
FAVORITES: Enjoys reading ... Favorites include Deena Kastor (pro athlete), Brave New World (book), Apollo 13 (movie), Friends (TV show), Imagine Dragons (musical artist), dark chocolate (food) and soccer (sport other than running) ... Favorite thing about track is "the way it connects me to God and His creation. It forces me to see the beauty and strength in not only nature, but also myself."
