HIGH POINT, N.C. — Graduate Student Alyssa Hendrix has been that unsung hero for the High Point University Panthers women's cross country team over the past two seasons. 

Before the 2024 campaign, Hendrix ran for North Carolina State University, where she won multiple national championships. After her time at NC State, she still had eligibility left and did not know if she wanted to use it or not. However, if she did, she knew she wanted to stay in North Carolina. This is where High Point came into play.

"I think really just having faith that it was going to work out and talking to my family and my friends, and really them pushing me to take a chance," Hendrix said. 

Hendrix did not see much of a difference between transferring from NC State to High Point. She had the same goals and the same plans. The difference in school size, also, did not really affect her. She knew it would be a change from going from changing coaches and the people she surrounds herself with, but she thinks that it really does not take long for her to come out of her shell. However, the transition was still easier for her than she expected. 

Hendrix has now been with the Panthers for two seasons and has really grown into her own. She set a personal record 6k time at the Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pa. (20:49.7). At the Panorama Farms Invitational, the same course Hendrix will run at regionals, she ran a 21:03.7 time. 

"The season's gone pretty well. I feel like we've been building each meet, which has been nice, going into when the meets really count, talking about post-season conference and regionals. I think that a lot of our freshmen have gained a lot of confidence coming in and taking on bigger roles in the team," Hendrix said. 

Going into the Big South Conference championship and regionals, Hendrix's individual goal is to place within the top 25, but as a team she hoped to place eighth or even better. 

When it comes to training, Hendrix runs a lot of mileage, starting in the summer and going into the physical cross-country season. "I think a lot of the training is really using that base and then building off of that as we get into more harder workouts and more very specific workouts. I think that Remy [Tamer] does a good job of helping me realize more of my potential and what I could do beyond just my performances," Hendrix said. 

Running for Head Coach Remy Tamer has been great in the eyes of Hendrix. She states she had a lot of memories and made great friends, but she wanted to develop more as an athlete at N.C. State. 

"I really just took a chance on transferring and kind of figuring that out. I think Remy really helped me realize that I was able to still improve after a long time of being stagnant and very inconsistent," Hendrix said.

Hendrix and Coach Tamer work well together. She feels that he pushes her to the best of her ability and believes Coach Tamer has not just helped her develop as a runner but also as a person in general.  

"Not only have I enjoyed working with her and coaching her, I would argue that her teammates [have] gained so much out of having her present. I should say a very important leader for our women," Coach Tamer said.

Coach Tamer also stated that she is a linchpin that holds all of the women together at a high level because she shows what it is like to be around those championship-winning teams. 

Coach Tamer got to know Hendrix through the recruitment process and the transfer portal, and it seemed like they were similar in many ways; how they carried themselves, the expectations they put on themselves and others, as well as their communication standards. The vision they both had for the program was very exciting according to Tamer.

Hendrix has been a star for the Panthers women's cross country program and someone with the experience to guide a team to glory.