Alex Banfich '08 (Plymouth, Ind.) and her parents Peter and Marilyn celebrate
Alex winning the mental attitude award at the state cross country meet. photo by Jan Garrison

Monday, October 29, 2007

Banfich wins more than a race

TIM CREASON
Tribune Correspondent

TERRE HAUTE -- This one was no surprise, either.

An hour after she won her third consecutive state championship, Culver Girls Academy senior Alex Banfich was named winner of this year's IHSAA Mental Attitude Award for girls cross country.

In addition to being a star distance runner, the Plymouth native is a star in the classroom. She ranks in the top 10 percent of her class academically and is a member of the Culver Honor Society.

Banfich served as freshman and sophomore class vice-president before being elected president of the junior class a year ago. This year, she was elected Senior Prefect by her classmates, the highest student leadership position available at Culver Girls Academy.

She participates in too many extra-curricular and volunteer activities to mention, everything from reading Bible verses at Catholic Mass to writing for the school newspaper to playing in the band.

"When you look at her resumé, it's phenomenal," said CGA coach Mike Chastain. "The IHSAA asked us for a list of her accomplishments and when the administrative office put it together, it just went on and on and on."

After Saturday's awards ceremony in Terre Haute, Banfich was surrounded by well-wishers who wanted to see both her state champion medal and Mental Attitude Award.

"I feel very honored," said Banfich. "Coach (Chastain) talked about maybe winning this but I didn't have any idea that I really would."

The last Tribune-area runner to win the Mental Attitude Award was Penn's Laura Carr in 2004.