Student Athlete of the Week Lex Bullen

Lex Bullen doesn't much like talking about herself. The 2023 Niwot High School grad instead prefers giving credit to the countless number of individuals who've helped her reach impressive heights as a runner.

After moving from Stargate Charter School in Thornton to Niwot High prior to her sophomore year, Bullen helped the Cougars to three straight girls state titles in both track and cross country. Yet, she remains most fulfilled knowing that she benefited from a program that treated her as more than just an athlete.

"I like to put emphasis on the profound impact that Niwot's program has not even as a running team, because obviously we have had great success as a running program, but the positive way that it's shaped so many of these wonderful young men and women into good human beings," Bullen said. "That's something that I feel extremely proud to be a part of, and it's something that I'm obviously going to miss."

Specifically, Bullen thanked head cross country coach/assistant track coach Kelly Christensen for keeping her on the right path during her Niwot career.

"He (Christensen) completely changed my life and made such a huge impact on me not even just as a coach, but as a person," Bullen said. "He's been the biggest mentor in my life these past couple of years, so I will definitely miss that."

Christensen was also key in helping Bullen navigate the college recruitment process, which ended with her committing to run track and cross country at the University of Alabama. Bullen said that in addition to Alabama's "phenomenal" coaching staff and "world-class" training facilities, she ultimately chose the Crimson Tide because of their program's culture.

"The girls have a really close-knit, community feel that I felt kind of reflected Niwot's," Bullen said. "That's really what I was looking for. When I was going through the recruiting process, I would always tell coaches that what I'm looking for is basically what I have now, which is that tight-knit community of girls that support each other and aren't pitted against each other, but rather see each other as opportunities to grow."

Before heading off to Tuscaloosa, Bullen is using the summer to both train and recover from health issues that plagued her senior track season. She was still strong enough to win her first state title in the 800-meter relay, though.

"I always perform better during relays because running, to me, is such a collaborative sport," Bullen said. "My team, of course, means so, so much to me. When I'm running for them, I always run better and with more heart. To win that state title was just an amazing feeling to be able to share that with my three other teammates (Kendall Madine, Cayden Justice and Anna Prok)."

The versatile Bullen also took 18th in the 800-meters and helped Niwot to a fifth-place finish in the 800 sprint medley relay.

Bullen will be attending Alabama's Honor College in the fall with plans to study political science.