The following is a spotlight on Annabelle Eastman, one of two George Mason University 2023 nominees for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. The Atlantic 10 institutions nominated a total of 17 outstanding student-athletes for the award (READ MORE). The A-10 will spotlight each of the institutional nominees.

Annabelle Eastman Profile

Annabelle Eastman is a three-time NCAA Track

Regional participant who earned Second Team All-American honors in the 2021 steeplechase. She also qualified for the 2020-21 NCAA Cross Country Championships, is a two-time Atlantic 10 steeplechase champion (2021, 2023) and was All-Conference in

cross country in 2020-21 and 2022. Eastman

was a memer of both the indoor and outdoor

track and field A-10 All-Rookie teams in 2019 and

she helped the Patriots to the 2023 outdoor women's team title. She also was the IC4A champion in the

3,000 meters.

Eastman graduated Magna Cum Laude, is a six-time George Mason Dean's List member and an Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient. Twice she's been named Academic All-District by CoSIDA/CSC, and she

is a three-time A-10 cross country All-Academic

selection. The USTFCCCA named her to its All-Academic team in 2020-21. She also is a three-time

winner of the Peter Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete

(3.75 or better).

Eastman also was an intern for the George Mason recreation department and a program assistant for

Mason recreation in the area of well being.

What would you consider the top moment of your college career?

Winning the team title at my final A-10 Outdoor Track and Field championships this Spring would certainly contend for a top moment in my college career. The key driving factor that made this outcome possible was the team camaraderie we built throughout the season, and was unique to my previous years on the team. In a sport as diverse as track and field with a variety of disciplines and skill sets involved, it was amazing to see how invested we became in event groups outside of our own. It was easy to see how much our individual performances lifted knowing we were doing it for something bigger than just ourselves.

What is one thing you would go back and do differently if you could?

I would go back and further document some of the hard moments for my future self to reflect on. It is easy to reminisce on the positive highlights when we feel inclined to take photos or post on social media, but I believe my greatest lessons and stepping stones that have molded me into the person I am today have been influenced by the ‘lows’ more so than the highs.

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

One of the most courageous things I've done is to move across the world to be a student-athlete in the NCAA. My first step onto George Mason University's campus as a freshman was my first time in the US and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. (Literally... my first step involved slipping and falling on black ice) Heading into unknown territory can be incredibly daunting, but also very important to experience as a young adult. I am grateful to have gained perspective and found value in a ‘nothing to lose' attitude when provided with an opportunity and support to fall back on when inevitable challenges arise.

What Was your favorite class/professor and why?

My favorite class was the ‘Science of Wellbeing’ with Dr. Todd Kashdan. This was an elective I chose to take in my final semester of undergraduate studies and I am sure it will leave a long lasting impact on my life. I enjoyed this class for the level of connection I had with my classmates due to the vulnerability and honesty of our conversations and how we dug deep into the psychology behind human experiences.

What are the top three things on your bucket list?

• Run a marathon
  
• See Europe, especially Greece!
  
• Learn a new language
  

What is something you learned about yourself during the unique COVID year?

During the COVID year I learned how much I value being outside and active. In my hometown of Melbourne, Australia we had a phase of lockdown that restricted us to 1 hour outside per day for exercise. This quickly became my favourite time of the day as I would use it for my run, but I also took advantage of this time to take in all the sights and sounds of my natural environment. Fortunate enough to be running alongside the ocean, I came to realise how important it is for me to be connected to nature in some way and I hope to continue prioritizing this beyond my years as a competitive athlete.

What do you think is the most important issue for student-athletes today?

I think student athletes' mental health is by far the greatest concern. My experience has shown me the severity of these struggles within our population. When I think of the hours I have spent in the training room with teammates and other athletes rehabilitating physical injuries, I think of the casual way we talk about what is going on and how we are healing. I would like to think the same attention and care for one another could be applied to treating mental injuries.

Q & A