Running For God

RUNNING WITH A TEAM

Drea sees running as more than a passion or athletic endeavor. To the UMHB freshman, it's a way to glorify God, and while running, she uses the time to pray and listen to worship music. On a cold January morning, the Lord gave her a clear picture as she ran. She saw herself running with a team—something she hadn't done since high school. Her passion for distance running during her Army service had mostly been an individual endeavor—one that helped her escape some traumatic memories she experienced both at home and abroad. Running provided peace through the chaos—a consistent source of positive exhilaration in what can sometimes be a tumultuous, challenging life in the service of one's country.

Looking back, Drea admits she wasn't even sure how the process worked or if there were rules about a retired soldier competing in NCAA athletics. But she felt the Lord's pull on her heart and trusted His call. In a conversation with the NCAA, her vision became a reality: “You have full eligibility to run,” they told her.

New to Central Texas, the veteran next looked up cross-country programs, and UMHB rose to the forefront. Despite being a relatively new program in Division III cross country, started by current head coach Alex Aldaco in 2018, the women's team won the 2020 ASC championship and finished 16th at the NCAA West Regionals in 2023. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for Drea to push herself as a runner and integrate herself into the team.

There was still one hurdle to overcome: Drea needed Coach Aldaco's approval to actually walk-on with the program. He hadn't recruited Drea out of high school like the vast majority of his freshmen runners and had never seen her run.

"This was an unusual situation, so I had my doubts," Aldaco recalled. "I asked to meet with Drea to get a sense of what she wanted to accomplish and see if it was even possible to adapt my training principles to her situation.”

When they met, Aldaco said he was impressed with her solid endurance background and her motivation to coach young athletes one day. Any hesitancy the coach had seemed to fade when she told him her current times, which were on par with what he was looking for in his high school recruits.

FAITH-DRIVEN

Talk with Drea for even a short time and you'll see how important her faith is in her life. It's evident through the joy she exudes when thinking back on her wild journey, which took many twists and turns, including a fall that temporarily paralyzed her when she was in elementary school.

In high school, the unthinkable tragedy of the 9/11 terrorist attacks rattled the U.S. to its core. "I made the decision, even before my senior year started, that I was going to serve my country," she says.

And Drea did so valiantly, earning a Combat Action Badge and several other honors over the two decades she served. She went on combat tours to Iraq twice, Afghanistan twice, and Ukraine once, seeing things that put the pressures of running and day-to-day life into perspective. Thinking back on all that she went through is an emotional experience for her, but she also recognizes the power of the Lord to have gotten her through it all.

"I feel like I'm walking in a thousand of His blessings. There is something to be said for how the Lord has worked in my life. Because I know, having lived it, there is no logical or reasonable explanation that I am able to run today. I can't tell you how many rockets missed me. I can't tell you how many bullets flew past me. And I'm still here. It doesn't make sense. I know it doesn't make sense to me. And I don't expect other people to understand it. But I know because He's given me so many chances to keep living, the only explanation is that I'm running for Him. When I run, I feel like He's with me."

FUTURE COACH

As much as she hopes this experience makes her a better runner, she is well aware of the value of being part of a team before she actually coaches one of her own, which is her ultimate goal. It's that passion for helping others achieve their own personal records and dreams that has driven Drea's desire to be the best coach she possibly can be, and her time running at UMHB is only aiding in that.

Her freshman season was one of both milestones and setbacks. Drea suffered an injury early on but was undeterred. She rehabbed as the fall went on, remaining dedicated and connected with her teammates, even though her training plan looked different.

"The initial plan was for her not to run the rest of the season, but she was working so hard in her rehab, and I think the team was impressed by her dedication."

She eventually worked her way back into the lineup, running at the American Southwest Conference Championships and the NCAA D-III West Regionals. At the conference championships, UMHB claimed its second title since the program's restart in 2018.

Fittingly, Drea earned the ASC's Newcomer of the Year award. She didn't expect the award, but her dedication, passion and contributions to UMHB's program were unquestioned throughout her first season in the program.

"Despite the challenges I faced this year, I know the Lord was with me at each turn," Drea said. "I give Him all the credit for allowing me to run and finish the race. I'm so grateful for my team and Coach Aldaco. And I look forward to returning next year, a little bit wiser and stronger."

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