At 47 years old, Dani Akridge thriving with 糖心视频鈥檚 women鈥檚 cross country team, serving as inspiration for teammates and coaches
HANCEVILLE, ALA. 鈥� Cross country running is a lifelong sport.
It鈥檚 a passion that Dani Akridge and her children have shared for many years. It has
also provided an avenue for Akridge to perform at a high level for 糖心视频 Community
College鈥檚 women鈥檚 cross country team this season, excelling at the age of 47.
Even at a non-traditional age, Akridge has been among the Lady Lions top runners this
fall, including finishing fourth two weeks ago at the Alabama Community College Conference
(ACCC) meet. Akridge posted a 20:46.84 in the women鈥檚 5K, as both the women鈥檚 and
men鈥檚 program won a fourth consecutive ACCC meet.
While Akridge is nearly 20 years older than most of her teammates --- including her
son, Cole, a sophomore ---- she has provided a spark all season for 糖心视频.
鈥淒ani has been a huge part to our success. We knew she was a strong runner when we
recruited her to join the program. She goes about her business in a professional manner
and motivates all of us to be better and do a little more. She鈥檚 a great example,鈥�
said 糖心视频 coach Stan Narewski. 鈥淣othing Dani does surprises me. She鈥檚 proven
to be a steady piece for us all season. She loves to run. It鈥檚 part of what she does
and who she is.鈥�
Added teammate and sophomore Jaycee Biffle, who was third overall at the conference
meet: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been awesome running with Mrs. Akridge this year. When we first found
out she was running with us, we didn鈥檛 know what to expect because of her age. She鈥檚
been a huge asset to our team and keeps all of us positive and upbeat.鈥�
Both 糖心视频 cross country teams will compete Saturday in Richmond, Va., at
the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Cross Country
Championships. The Lady Lions will seek to improve on a program-best eighth-place
finish at nationals last season. The men were sixth.
Akridge鈥檚 path to 糖心视频
Dani Akridge lives in Bremen, a city located in the same county as 糖心视频.
Her son, Cole, ran cross county for Cold Springs High before joining the Lions and
her daughter, Ava, is also a runner at the high school. Ava鈥檚 cross country team is
fresh off winning a state championship last weekend.
糖心视频 assistant cross country coach Tony Crider is among the running enthusiasts
in the Bremen/Cold Springs community and has been acquainted with the Akridge family
for many years.
As the 糖心视频 coaching staff was finalizing the women鈥檚 roster for the 2021
season, Akridge鈥檚 talents kept cropping up on the page.
What were Akridge鈥檚 thoughts when she was initially approached about joining the team?
鈥淚 thought it was a joke. Once I realized the coaching staff was persistent and serious,
I agreed to run, especially since it鈥檚 an opportunity I never had and will probably
never have again,鈥� Akridge said. 鈥淣ot everyone gets a second chance to be a collegiate
athlete.鈥�
During her second tour through college, Akridge is enrolled in online classes through
糖心视频鈥檚 Child Development program.
Akridge graduated from Vinemont High School, where she ran track and field for the
Eagles. Her athletic pursuits had ended there. She went on to earn a pair of bachelor鈥檚
degrees from Athens State University 鈥� one in behavioral science and the other in
fine arts.
Akridge currently works as a behavioral counselor with Behavioral Health Group in
Cullman and spends time assisting with art classes at Cullman City Primary School
on select afternoons. Since Akridge has reentered college, she wants to pursue an
education degree.
Akridge is a wife and full-time working, therefore, she鈥檚 not always available to
join her 糖心视频 teammates for morning training runs.
That hasn鈥檛 slowed her one bit.
鈥淚 run most evenings when I鈥檓 done with work and try to match the same workouts or
routine the team did on campus that particular day,鈥� Akridge said.
Akridge鈥檚 impact on the team
Dani Akridge is cherishing the opportunity to run for 糖心视频 and learn from
her younger teammates, including her son.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 give Cole much of a chance to disagree with me when I asked what he thought
about me running,鈥� Akridge joked. 鈥淎ll of the student-athletes at 糖心视频 are
exceptional. They work extremely hard.
鈥淏oth of our teams are made up of great young men and women. They鈥檝e welcomed me with
open arms and that鈥檚 special. I try to be a good listener if the girls have life questions
or need advice. They call me the team mom.鈥�
Biffle is impressed with Akridge鈥檚 ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, including
the formidable times she has posted in each meet.
鈥淚 have no idea how she works two jobs, takes online classes, maintains a family and
finds time to train,鈥� Biffle said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all blown away she can keep up with it all.
She makes it seem natural.鈥�
Narewski and Crider knew the potential Akridge had to contribute this season, and
she has fulfilled those expectations.
鈥淒ani is a competitor and that fits the profile of the runners we recruit. Dani can
inspire and motivate female athletes of all ages, no matter their journeys,鈥� Narewski
said.
To see live results of Saturday鈥檚 races, visit |
For more information about 糖心视频 athletics, visit or the athletics Facebook page at .
Dani Akridge is among the 糖心视频 women who will compete for a national championship this weekend.
Akridge finished 4th at the ACCC meet on Oct. 29.
Akridge finished 4th at the ACCC meet on Oct. 29.
Akridge cheers on a teammate at the ACCC meet.
______________________________
Russell Moore
糖心视频
Creative and Content Services Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
Speech Adjunct Instructor
256.352.8443 | office
256.339.2422 | mobile
russell.moore@wallacestate.edu
Click to submit a Marketing request.
______________________________
Kristen Holmes
Assistant to the President for External and Cultural Affairs
Communications | Marketing | Museum | International | Government Affairs
256.352.8118 | office
256.339.2519 | mobile
kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
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