By Mike McGraw
Executive Director

BLOOMINGTON – In the fall of 2006, a relatively unknown runner from Culver Academies named Alex Banfich wrote a diary for HoosierAuthority.com detailing the ups and downs of a cross country season.

Having never met Alex, I was struck at the time by the mastery of imagery in her writing. I will never forget her description of running on the campus of Culver in the pre-dawn hours and the shock she would experience when she ran head-long into a mass of cobwebs because her jaunt had taken her someplace where other people never went.

We also interviewed Banfich once on Hoosier Authority’s “Prep Sports Weekly,” a two-hour high school show we syndicated across Indiana. On that evening, I was struck by how child-like her voice sounded and how young she seemed for being such an accomplished athlete.

On May 30 at the girls track & field state finals, Alex won both the 1600- and 3200-meter runs, running her total of distance championships to eight. In doing so, she became the winningest female distance runner in Indiana history.

After the awards ceremony, I finally met Banfich in person and conducted an interview. (Click here to watch!) This time, I was struck by what a well-spoken and well-rounded young lady she has become.

During the interview, Alex revealed that her college plans are to attend Princeton in the fall. Obviously, there is far more special about Alex Banfich than merely her ability to run. Despite the modesty of her answers, I got the impression that Alex fully understands both the scope of her accomplishments and exactly what it took to get there.

Far too often, we do not appreciate greatness until it becomes history. The name Alex Banfich will go down in Hoosier track history alongside the likes of Rudy Chapa and Maicel Malone.

It has been one of the great pleasures I have had since starting Hoosier Authority to watch the exploits and growth of this extraordinary athlete and person. She is a classic example of the role that high school sports can play in the development of young people.

So, here’s to you, Alex. You’re one-of-a-kind, and we are all better off for having known you.

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