OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Evergreen State College is proud to highlight former Geoduck student-athletes Nick Pace from men's cross country and men's track and field, and Evelyn Coleman from women's cross country and women's track and field. Pace competed for the Geoducks from 2007-10 and Coleman participated in athletics at Evergreen from 2008-11.
Pace arrived at Evergreen after transferring from Pacific Lutheran University. Craig Dickson was the cross country and track and field coach for the Geoducks.
"I was frankly not an ideal candidate starting out, having limited experience, not to mention my first time trial I was running in my jeans, as I had no real equipment," Pace said. "I had transferred to Evergreen late and was having a hasty time finding a course and housing."
It was almost an accident that Pace decided to become a cross country and track and field athlete for the Geoducks. "I joined TESC cross country because another runner, in the lobby in the academic advising office, suggested I should since I mentioned I ran in high school," Pace commented.
Pace found a home with the Evergreen distance runners and his track and field teammates. Being a part of the team helped him throughout his years of college attendance.
"There's a lot more to this story which I won't get into, but in short, the TESC cross-country/track team was like my tribe with some of my best friends being on that team on the crazy adventure that was my TESC academic journey," Pace recalled. "I eventually got better (as a runner) with time, though not without trial and error and a little drama."
From an uncertain beginning with the cross country team to an extended athletic career with the Geoducks, Pace gained confidence and experience.
"My most memorable day running with Evergreen was also my last competition at St. Martin's," Pace said. "I was a senior. I had a time of 4:17 in the 1,500 meters, which was my personal best. It felt like a great thing to do before I graduated days later."
Pace looked back with positive feelings from his time as a Geoduck athlete. The cross country and track and field meets helped him develop as a person.
"I'm not going to be in Evergreen's Hall of Fame, and I've already peaked, but the running rituals from the teams echo today in making me who I am," Pace confirmed. "And if you're wondering, yes, I still race, mostly in Washington State and Idaho. I hope to see some of you Greener alums at some of those races."
Coleman joined the cross country and track and field teams as a walk-on in 2008. It represented a change for Coleman, who had a background in dancing.
"As a ballerina I wasn't allowed to play sports in high school, and I really wanted to try athletics," Coleman noted. "When I came to visit and met my advisor, I told him I was interested in sports, and he introduced me to the cross country coach. I didn't really know the rules to any sports, so basketball, soccer, and volleyball were ruled out."
Ultimately, Coleman was glad she chose to join Evergreen Athletics. The decision provided her with friends and allowed her to learn from coaches.
"I'm not sure where I got the bravado to take on running at the collegiate level with no experience, and I was the slowest woman in the conference all four years," Coleman said. "But it was the best decision I ever made. Somehow, despite being a first-generation immigrant POC, all the special support programs missed me. Luckily, as an athlete, I was able to move on campus in August and get settled. I had a built-in support system through my coaches and older runners who taught me how to navigate college. I was even able to get a work study job at the recreation center!"
Her experiences on the cross country and track and field teams impacted Coleman's life in several ways.
"The Evergreen athletic program's openness to taking walk-ons gave me the leg-up I needed to succeed," Coleman commented. "Shortly after graduating, given that I was in the best shape of my life, I was able to apply to Officer Candidate School and earn a commission in the Army. I did not sweat the physical requirements like many of my peers. As one of the many students graduating into a changing economy with fewer options than expected, I was lucky enough to have a way forward, when many graduates who did not come from well-connected families did not."
Coleman gained some great insight into athletics and competition through her four years with the Geoducks.
"Was it challenging? Yes," Coleman said. "But becoming an Evergreen athlete changed the course of my life and taught me what I was physically and mentally capable of … something that serves me every day. Nowadays, I'm out of the Army and back to ballet. I live next to the city park where all the 5k fun runs are held, and while I don't run much, I occasionally sign up just to stretch my legs again."
