Shana Martin

Shana Martin, Penn State’s athletic history boasts national champions, iconic coaches, Olympians, a Heisman trophy winner, first round draft picks and now a boom running world champion.Shana Martin Alyse Schroeder, a toxicology major and full time student, captured the world’s top ranking in a thrilling race on June 25th. The junior finished in 11.14 seconds, just edging opponent and event favorite Shana Martin, who ran in 11.28 seconds.

“I had been working my butt off to become champion, it was a relief,” Schroeder said. “It was a satisfaction knowing that all of my hard work had paid off.” Boom running is part of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS series and the Lumberjack World Championship. In the event, two competitors race down a series of logs connected by rope to a small dock. Once they reach the dock, the athletes have to go around a marker, usually a large barrel then race back down the logs for the finish.

Schroeder began her professional career last year at the Lumberjack World Championship, held annually in her hometown of Hayward, Wisc., and placed third. At the 2009 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS series, which is televised as part of ESPN’s outdoor games, the junior won the title in front of a national audience. “Honestly, its an unreal experience — especially winning,” Schroeder said. “Everybody is smothering you, and it’s amazing. Seeing myself on TV is a surreal experience.”