By Max Lederman

Life plays funny games on people sometimes. All it takes is that one moment that alters your point of view and ultimately changes your life. It was such an occurrence that altered Ahndraea Allen’s view, and earned her the distinction of the 2003 Northeastern News Female Athlete of the Year.

Ahndraea Allen started running in sixth grade to follow in the footsteps of her family members, and because she knew it was something at which she could excel. Excel might as well be an understatement; this girl was dominant. She achieved All-State honors three out of the four years she attended Roselle Park High School, but after graduation, Allen was ready to say goodbye to the sport.

“After running all four years of high school I kind of wanted a break,” said the Roselle Park, NJ native.

She was worn out, and who wouldn’t be? She holds three conference records, in the 100-meter, 200-meter and long jump, and was state champ in all three of those events her senior year. But Allen’s time on the track was not up yet. After watching the 2000 Olympic games, she knew that she needed the sport.

“I didn’t think I was going to run again until I watched the Olympics in 2000. That’s when I told my dad that I wanted to start running again,” she said.

Luckily for her, and for Husky fans, her father contacted Northeastern track and field coach Sherman Hart.

“Her father called me and told me that his daughter was very athletic and that she wanted to run,” said Hart.

The rest is now history, but that history is still being written, for Allen is only a sophomore at NU. The fact that this young lady has yet to reach her prime is scary.

“From the first day I saw her, I knew she was going to be special,” Hart said. “She burned the first day of practice, and was so aggressive that I had to tell her to slow down.”

Along with extreme athletic talent, Allen also has that intangible that can’t be seen on a piece of paper. It’s that look in her eyes when she runs. It’s her desire to win at any cost that makes this young Husky stand out from the crowd.

“Both of my parents claim that I get my competitive fire from them,” Allen said. “I don’t know, running is just in my blood and its something I love to do.”

Not only does she have the competitive fire and athletic tools to dominate, she also has the ability to compete in whatever race she competes. Each new event is another challenge for her to try and overcome.

“It’s beyond words how remarkable she is,” Hart said of his star runner. “She has picked up every event she’s been put in.”

Just take one look at her toned, muscular physique and you’ll see why Allen not only holds the NU record in the 400-meter (54.58), but she’s broken her own mark three times. Allen also holds the 400 indoor record (53.97), the 4×400 meter relay school record (3:44.02), and the America East record in the 200 (24.49), along with a handful of other marks.

“I try not to think about the records too much,” said the softspoken yet outgoing Allen. “I just try to stay calm and think of them as just another meet, you know take each race step by step.”

Besides all of her individual success, Allen has done a great deal for the NU track team as well.

“It’s always nice to have great runners, and I have had quite a few,” said Hart. “Ahndraea is the kind of runner that makes me look forward to the next day because I know no matter what, as long as she is racing, we will have a chance to win.”

Who knows what would have happened if Ahndraea Allen hadn’t turned on the TV during the 2000 Olympic games. Maybe she wouldn’t have seen all of those runners who, like her, yearned to achieve their lifetime goals in front of the world. Maybe that fire would have stayed dormant and never reached its full blaze.

One thing is for sure, Allen isn’t going anywhere soon. In fact, we may soon be watching her in the 2004 Olympics.

“I’m going to try my best to qualify for trials and then hopefully I’ll have a chance to make the team,” said the sprinter.

According to all parties involved, the sky is truly the limit for this outstanding runner.

“It’s nice because she still has a long way to go,” Hart said. “It remains to be seen just how special she is.”

It’s a sure thing that no matter what happens in the next two years. Ahndraea Allen will always have a place in Northeastern history as one of the most outstanding runners to ever attend this school.