North Carolina State All-American Alexandra Hays, the program record holder in the 10,000 meters at 32:21.13 and member of the 2021 cross country NCAA Division 1 championship lineup, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her return to competition for the Wolfpack on March 23 at the Raleigh Relays. Hays eclipsed North Carolina State's 10,000 record of 32:36.2 set in 1986 by Cathy Ormsby. It was also her first race since competing unattached in the indoor 5,000 meters in December at the Sharon Colyear Danville Season Opener at Boston University. Hays explains how meaningful it was to race again at the Paul Derr facility in Raleigh and how significant it was to set the record at home, especially after producing her previous-best 33:15.53 at last year's event. She explains how much her Wolfpack teammates have inspired Hays with their performances during the cross country and indoor seasons, in addition to expressing gratitude for North Carolina State coach Laurie Henes for helping Hays remain connected with the group and their training schedules, despite her only being able to compete unattached during the fall and winter. Hays shares her experiences competing in road races in New York and Boston during the fall, and how those opportunities could become more frequent during her post-collegiate running career. She also revisits achieving a personal-best 15:33.84 in the 5,000 meters in July at a Sound Running meet at Occidental College in Los Angeles, and her excitement to compete in the event again during the spring season. Hays analyzes the exceptional performances March 31 in the 10,000 at the Stanford Invitational, led by Utah's Emily Venters elevating to the No. 6 all-time NCAA performer at 31:48.35, and the overall depth of the event this season with her being among five of the top 40 competitors in collegiate history. She looks ahead to the challenge of competing in the 10,000 at the East Regional in Jacksonville, as well as the potential of racing 25 laps again in the Division 1 final in June in Austin, Texas. Hays also speaks about recently defending her thesis statement and passing, and her satisfaction in earning a Masters degree in natural resources management and policy in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.