FHSAA 4A cross country and track state champion Alyssa Hendrix has committed to North Carolina State University to further her academic and athletic careers.
After taking her official visits to NC State, Furman, Vanderbilt, and Florida State the Riverview senior decided to go with the athletic program that would take her to where she wants to be as an athlete in a large city relatively close to home and family -- NC State in Raleigh was the perfect fit.
Hendrix packed her official visits all in the month of September, making for a stressful first part to her senior cross country season. Balancing school, practice, and the added pressure, fun, and traveling that comes with official visits can be overwhelming, but she handled the experience with strength maintaining a top tier performance.
"The position that you are in with all these colleges wanting you and being able to visit some amazing schools is incredible...keep an open mind about the whole process," Hendrix said.
The former soccer player left her identity in the sport her freshman year to pursue running full time. That same year she surprised herself battling right down to the finish line at the state meet for third place. The girl she was battling? Winter Park great and future NC State teammate, Rafaella Gibbons.
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"Every athlete has their own obstacles," said Hendrix. "I want to stay resilient when faced with any adversity."
Staying resilient is one of her strong suits. Progressing week after week, year after year, Hendrix knows when and how to compete. She kicked off her career with a third place state finish her freshman year, took that motivation and turned it into two runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2018, then captured her first state title last year against a stacked field.
She's just getting started.
Hendrix will finish out her senior season with big goals to defend her state title and once again qualify and compete well at Foot Locker Nationals in December. She will join Gibbons as one of Florida's best as a future Wolf.
"The girls on the team are amazing and the history of NC State running is remarkable," Hendrix said. "The city of Raleigh is beautiful and I felt like the coaches really fit me as an athlete."
