University of San Francisco freshman student-athlete Renee Stribling is determined to leave a deep footprint on the Dons' cross country and track and field programs.

With the inaugural season of San Francisco's women's track and field program fast approaching, Stribling's goal is well in reach. But what makes her dream so extraordinary is that she didn't take up competitive running until she arrived at the school.

For most of her life, basketball was Stribling's game. She had dreams of competing at the college level and beyond. Citing waning passion for the game as well as a combination of injuries, surgeries and transferring to a different high school, Stribling gave up competitive basketball. She enrolled as a student at San Francisco.

But that all quickly changed after a friend -- a member of San Francisco's men's cross country team -- encouraged Stribling to train and tryout for cross country. Initially, she was ambivalent. Her only previous distance running experience had come in competing in the 800 meters in the sixth through eighth grades. But after thinking it over and talking with her father, she decided to take a run at it.

"Before my friend convinced me to try out, I hadn't thought about running in college," Stribling said. "When he brought that to my attention I thought I'd just give it a shot and see what I could do. If it felt right to me, then I'd get serious and begin to train. That's what ended up happening."

Stribling not only made the cross country team, she is likely to be a key competitor for the Dons' women's track and field squad, which is set to debut in the coming academic year.

For Stribling, the most difficult part of transitioning into the sport has been getting into a routine.

"It's not like I just became successful overnight. It took tremendous effort, focus and will," she said.

Stribling's hard work is evident. The freshman has progressed with a blinding speed that even took her by surprise.

"I was just hoping to make the team, to walk on. I had no idea this sport would fit me so well and that I would make the team and progress so quickly. I didn't think it was going to happen that way," she said.

Stribling's determination has paid dividends. She recorded the fastest time for a Dons runner in the 5K en route to an 18th place in the event during the West Coast Conference championships and has collected a couple 1500-meters wins and one 800-meters victory in California all-comers meets.

Eyes focused firmly on her unquestionably bright future, Stribling hopes to eventually compete in the steeplechase.

"Since I was new to the sport, I didn't know what all it consisted of. My coach brought it to my attention," she said. "It's like the event of all events. Who wouldn't want to do the event of all events?"

The fun part of the journey for Stribling has been experiencing first-hand the lesson that people can do anything they want if they have the patience, work ethic and determination.

"I wanted to become a runner and I wanted to make the San Francisco cross country team. I set out to do it and I did that," she said.

Clearly, Stribling has experienced an array of successes in her young career. Among the things of which she said she is most proud is her ability to run a sub-five-minute mile, a feat she never imagined.

"I'm proud of how far I've come in a sport that was brand new to me in all aspects. I'm also proud to be running for San Francisco and to be on the track team that will be a new addition to the school," Stribling said.

Regardless of how far she goes competitively, Stribling, inspired by her coaches, is aiming to stay connected to the sport by becoming a cross country and track and field coach.

"I've always been interested in being a coach because I love sports that deeply," she said. "My coaches have been amazing. Just learning from them and being coached by them has really inspired me."