Allie Zealand | Liberty XC/TF
Hometown/Current City: Lynchburg, Va.
Undergraduate Major: Civil Engineering
Allie Zealand recorded a stellar sophomore season as the only CUSA runner to compete at the 2025 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship. She finished the race 21st to become an All-American for the first time in her career, markign the highest national finish by a CUSA women's runner since the spring of 2021. She finished inside the top five at every race leading up to the national meet, headlined by a fifth-place effort at the NCAA Division I Southeast Regional Championships and the CUSA individual title which she captured by more than a 30 second margin. She was also named to the CUSA All-Academic team while studying Civil Engineering with a 3.79 GPA. The sophomore is the daughter to Liberty's assistant cross country coach and 2025 CUSA Women's Coach of the Year, Heather Zealand. Heather Zealand was also a distance runner at Liberty, capturing the Flames' first NCAA Division I national title in any sport at the 2002 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships?.
What is it like for you to have your mom as your coach and how does her legacy at Liberty impact your own journey?
I have always been inspired by my mom's success, and having her example and wisdom every day helps me train well and develop my perspective. Knowing the times she ran and the competitive way she raced encourages me to not set limits on my own performance. With her as my coach, I am confident that I am being trained in the best way for the goals I have; with her being my mom, I know that she supports me and wants the best for me in life. I am so motivated through all my training with her coaching me.
What career path do you want to pursue after college?
Growing up with a mom who ran post collegiately, I have loved the idea of being a professional runner from a young age. I hope to race for many years after I graduate, then pursue a career in civil engineering.
What’s the best advice you ever got from a coach or teammate?
I have been so blessed in my life and specifically at Liberty to have many wise people speak into my life. I hear advice spoken from my teammates, team captains, and coaches every week at our team chapel, and I am always challenged to become a more disciplined athlete and Christian. Our head coach, Coach Bingham, told us something that really impacted my perspective in racing this XC season. Coach told us to run boldly, knowing that the Lord will give the strength needed to accomplish His purposes, and accepting that His purpose for a race may not be results
How has being a student-athlete helped you succeed in the classroom?
Being a student-athlete has taught me that every challenge is a chance to practice discipline, hard work, and faith, and these qualities come more naturally through repetition. Pushing my mind and body every week through workouts sets me in a routine of hard work and discipline that translates to my academic efforts.
What’s your best tip for balancing athletics and academics?
The best tip I can give to balance athletics and academics is being able to know your priorities. Both running and school are time consuming, so not overfilling your schedule can reduce stress and allow you to spend more time focusing on your highest priorities. Learning to sacrifice unnecessary things in my life has allowed me to focus on studying and recovering.
What did this season’s success mean to you?
All the hours of workouts and recovery that went into this season of training made the success much more meaningful. The sacrifices I made this season while focusing on running were all worthwhile to be able to achieve the goals I set. Beyond that though, the success meant so much more because I have learned more about my identity in Christ through this season. It is so fulfilling to use the gifts God has given me.