Air Force Academy All-American and senior captain Maria Mettler joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to recap running the second-fastest debut 10,000-meter race in collegiate history and top 20 all-time effort among NCAA Division 1 competitors with her 32:09.37 performance Dec. 5 at the Sound Running Track Meet in Southern California. Mettler, who hadn't competed since February at the Mountain West Conference Indoor Championships, explains how the majority of her training during the fall was focused on cross country and how she had only raced one time trial in the 10,000 on the track before making her debut. She reflects on the disappointment experienced by the entire Air Force program over the cancellation of the scheduled Nov. 11 cross country meet in New York against Army and Navy, which would have been the first time all three service academies raced head to head under that format. But Mettler also expressed gratitude over being able to race before the end of the year, especially battling through discomfort in her right foot in the week leading up to the competition. She reveals that she was grateful to be placed in the first of two sections, in order to have the opportunity to race the final kilometer with six athletes all separated by less than a second, and to prevail against Carrie Verdon of Team Boulder (32:09.82) in a sprint finish by covering the final lap in 69.52 seconds. Mettler analyzes how special it is to be recognized among the elite 10,000-meter runners in Division 1 history, and how it continues to motivate her for future opportunities in the 5,000 and 6-kilometer cross country races. She examines how fortunate she is to train with Air Force World Class Athlete Program professionals Jaci Smith and Hannah Everson, in addition to how beneficial it has been for her to learn from coach Ryan Cole. Mettler also shares how impressive the development has been for the program during her career at Air Force and having a teammate like fellow All-American Mahala Norris to provide support during workouts and races. She also describes the significant role faith plays in her life, especially with her running, and how that spiritual guidance has helped her become a stronger leader to her teammates. Mettler also reflects on her prep success at Air Academy, and having current freshman Bethany Michalak join Allie McLaughlin, Katie Rainsberger and herself among the Kadets' legacy of state cross country champions in October.