Apollo’s Chloe Sandefur signed to run track at the D1 level with Northern Kentucky. The runner currently competes in events such as the long jump, various hurdle events, and relay events, but plans to focus on hurdles while at Northern Kentucky.
Sandefur said signing to run track at the D1 level is rewarding given her years of hard work.
“It’s the product of the hard work and dedication I’ve put in from such a young age,” she said. “Being given the opportunity to continue my track and field career at a division 1 level is beyond rewarding.”
Northern Kentucky left its mark on Sandefur with its competitive track and field program and their nursing program. She plans to start her path to becoming a travel nurse by earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing while at NKU. Northern Kentucky is located in Highland Heights, KY near Cincinnati, OH. Sandefur said the distance from home is exciting as she gets the opportunity to grow in a new place.
“Although it has its pros and cons, I’m excited to venture out to a new place,” she said. “Of course, there are many people places and things I’ll miss from home, but I think it’s important for me to gain the independence and responsibilities that come with being on my own a few hours away.”
Sandefur is currently in-season with the Apollo track and field team, but she already has in mind a sense of what her preparation for her first college season will look like. Mental preparation will be key as she is aware of the physical demands that come with being a collegiate athlete.
“When it comes to preparing for my first college season, I feel like a lot of it is mentally preparing for how drastic of a change it’s going to be,” she said. “That includes being ready for workouts to get harder, lifts to get heavier and a new level of commitment. As far as training goes, we’re focusing a lot on the basics, tuning up my form and introducing new workouts that get me to push past mental barriers.”
Sandefur’s days as a high school athlete aren’t over just yet, but she knows that she will miss the team she has spent many years competing beside.
“The thing I’ll miss most about high school sports will probably be the team aspect,” she said. “Most of my team consists of people I grew up with or have been close with for many years, and it will be bittersweet to part ways with so many of them.”
