Cross Training Has Elevated Connell Alford's Development

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* Chelsea's Connell Alford is among those returning to Foot Locker Nationals as All-Americans in 2022

Photo Credit: Raymond Tran/MileSplit

"My biggest thing is I gotta leave high school cross country on a high note. I gotta do something big here. It's always going to be the race that I remember, the last race, so I gotta make it worth it."


By Tim Casey - MileSplit Recruiting Reporter

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In recent weeks, Connell Alford has been closely following the exploits of University of Florida star Parker Valby, who won the NCAA cross country title last month and broke the NCAA 5,000m record in Boston this past weekend.

Valby has mentioned she only runs two or three days per week and spends the rest of the time cross training. Those words have struck with Alford, a senior at Chelsea (MI) High School who is not only one of the best young distance runners in the U.S. but also among the elite track cyclists. 

Alford, who recently signed with Syracuse University, will be competing on a national stage on S...