Stephanie Garcia

Stephanie Garcia didn't dream of being a runner, but somehow running always seemed to find her. When she missed the sign-up date for high school cheerleading, she joined her friends at cross-country practice. After walking on to the University of Virginia's cross-country and track teams, she tried a crazy event called the steeplechase and qualified for the NCAA Championship as a true freshman. She went from walk on to NCAA runner-up during her collegiate career before turning professional with New Balance and representing the U.S. at the 2011 and 2015 World Championships.

Garcia was the fourth American woman to break 9:20 in the event, a barrier that only six American women have accomplished to this day.

When she's not training, she loves to practice yoga, go on outdoor adventures with her partner and their black lab Emma, experiment with new recipes and knit handmade gifts for loved ones.