Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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50 OCT. 31, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED ND SPORTS BY TODD D. BURLAGE L ong odds, a one-mile run and a stopwatch were the only three obstacles remaining three years ago for Erin Archibeck to finally reach her dream of earning a walk-on in- vitation to the Notre Dame women's cross country team. A university sophomore in 2017, the task facing Archibeck was straightfor- ward: run a five-minute mile to reach the program's walk-on standard and earn a roster spot — a goal she held since high school. "I wasn't on the team at the time, so I didn't have anything to lose. I just kept working hard at it," explained Archi- beck, whose drive to Notre Dame was fueled in part because her father, aunt, older sister and now younger sister went and/or go there. "I just always loved running so much that I didn't want to give it up." With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Archibeck began a crusade for an Irish roster spot during her senior year at Albuquerque Academy High School in New Mexico through a per- sistent email campaign to Irish head coach Matt Sparks. The plan didn't take, initially. "With all due respect," Sparks said, "her times were so off our radar, I don't think I even responded to her email." Undeterred, the email campaign en- dured, typically with about one sent to Sparks every semester until finally the coach believed Archibeck's indi- vidual hard work and shrinking mile times earned her a tryout. The five-minute mile conquered that day and dedication rewarded, Sparks delivered the news to his new- est team member: "Let's get you a training plan for the summer, and we'll get you on the roster for the fall of your junior year." Fast-forward three years after Ar- chibeck made the team, and much has changed for the Notre Dame fifth- year senior who already holds her mechanical engineering degree. From a walk-on as a college junior in 2018 to an Irish captain in 2020, Archibeck has become both a team leader and one of its top competitors during this unorthodox season. "I feel like I've had so many amaz- ing role models on the team that al- ways gave me so much confidence," Archibeck explained of her leader- ship evolution. "Being a captain now, I definitely want to be able to do the same with the other girls." Because of travel restrictions and dif- fering coronavirus protocols among teams and conferences, Notre Dame's 2020 cross country schedule is sparse on meets and loaded with team-only training. Even so, Sparks believes his group is well-prepared for a strong showing at the ACC Championships Oct. 30. "There are days that everything feels pretty normal, then you get called in for a COVID test, and we're on pins and needles for about 48 hours," he explained of this strange season. "Then you kind of get back to work." Taking everything day by day, Ar- chibeck remains equally grateful for her individual opportunity and the future team goals that remain. "I always knew that being on the team would be such a cool experience and it would be so incredible to have great teammates and be able to wear a Notre Dame jersey," Archibeck said. "It was such a big goal of mine that I just figured I would keep going at it. I'm so happy it worked out this way." ✦ Archibeck, who already has earned her degree in mechanical engineering, has grown into her role as a leader on the Irish cross country squad after earning a walk-on spot as a sophomore. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS From Walk-On To Captain, Cross Country's Erin Archibeck Is Living Her Dream Irish Roundup MEN'S SOCCER (2-2 OVERALL, 1-1 ACC) Notre Dame's Oct. 18 match at Virginia Tech was postponed … The Irish are set to host Vir- ginia Oct. 24. WOMEN'S SOCCER (3-3 OVERALL, 3-3 ACC) The Fighting Irish entered the third weekend of October ranked No. 14 in the country in the United Soccer Coaches poll, but dropped a pair of hard-fought heartbreakers to ACC foes on their home field … Notre Dame surrendered a goal in the 87th minute and fell 1-0 to Wake For- est Oct. 15, and then dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 3 Clemson Oct. 18 after giving up the game- winner in the 84th minute … The Irish will look to get back in the win column at Louisville Oct. 25. VOLLEYBALL (4-1 OVERALL, 4-1 ACC) No. 5 Notre Dame split a pair contests against No. 10 Pittsburgh, edging the Panthers 3-2 Oct. 16 before falling 3-1 Oct. 18 … The Irish close out their fall slate with two matches at Boston College Oct. 23-24. — Steve Downey