Samantha McDonnell, a senior at Newbury Park High in California and an Alabama signee, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her verbal commitment to the Crimson Tide, along with leading the Panthers back to Woodward Park in Fresno to compete Oct. 9 in the Bill Buettner girls championship at the 42nd ASICS Clovis Invitational. McDonnell examines her recruiting process and how she developed a connection with Alabama coaches Samantha Palmer and Will Palmer, along with her excitement to join the current members of the team, along with the other incoming student-athletes next fall. She also expresses gratitude to Newbury Park coaches Sean Brosnan and Tanya Brosnan for helping her with advice and guidance throughout the recruiting process. McDonnell also reflects on Newbury Park winning the Bob Day girls sweepstakes race for the first time Sept. 18 at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic at SilverLakes Sports Complex in Norco, Calif., and how significant that was for the younger athletes to experience such a high-pressure competition before racing at Woodward Park. She discusses the second matchup with Buchanan, the 2019 Division 1 state champion, and how Newbury Park has elevated from winning the Division 2 state title two years ago to becoming one of the top teams in the country. McDonnell shares how valuable the experience of racing in Fresno is before the Nov. 27 state meet, and how excited she is to build off the momentum of her second-place finish in 15:54.6 on the 3-mile layout at Woodbridge, in pursuit of lowering her personal-best 17:56.4 on the 5-kilometer course at Woodward Park. She explains how significant it is to be racing now that she has made her collegiate decision and the weight that has been lifted entering elite competitions. McDonnell also speaks about the importance of her leadership, not only in training, but in performance, to help her teammates in races. She also looks forward to Newbury Park competing Dec. 4 at the RunningLane National Championships in Alabama, a decision made by the Panthers following the cancellation of Nike Cross Nationals for a second straight season after they placed 17th in their debut in 2019.