Queens College sophomore All-American Fatima Alanis, who placed third in the NCAA Division 2 Cross Country Championships in November along with finishing third in the outdoor 10,000-meter final in May, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Feb. 26-27 in the South Atlantic Conference Indoor Championships at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C., as the Royals prepare for the Division 2 Indoor championship meet March 11-12 at Pittsburg State in Kansas. Alanis, an elite 22-year-old triathlete who represents Mexico, examines her learning curve in indoor track this season and the transition from competing for the first time on a banked oval for the first time, versus 200-meter and 300-meter flat tracks, where her conference and national championship meets will take place. She revisits teaming with Stevie Lawrence, Carlin McFadden and Stina Pettersson to clock 11:37.94 in the distance medley relay Feb. 18 at the JDL DMR Invitational, which helped Queens take over the Division 2 lead following the flat track conversion that adjusted the mark to 11:30.55. Alanis also reflects on competing Feb. 12 against Grand Valley State on its home track, with Queens clocking 11:39.79 in their first showdown this season with the Lakers, in addition to racing on a 300-meter layout for the first time. She also reminisces about racing against professional and Division 1 competitors Feb. 5 in the Camel City Elite 3,000 meters at JDL Fast Track, which helped Alanis run a personal-best 9:26.37, elevating her to the No. 2 performer in Division 2 with the flat track conversion that adjusted her performance to 9:21.56. Alanis also explains her ambition to run the 5,000 at the Division 2 indoor championship meet following her 16:29.72 effort Feb. 11 at Grand Valley State that has her ranked among the top five competitors in the division this season. She expresses gratitude for the collaboration she has with coaches Jake Krolick and Luke Greer, along with being surrounded by supportive teammates, including fellow triathlete Mathurin Boutte from France. Alanis looks ahead to the USA Triathlon Collegiate Club Championships on April 1 in Georgia, in addition to securing qualifying times for the Division 2 outdoor championship meet during the spring. She also speaks about her internship with the New York-based company Phoebe that is focused on providing support for new mothers from late in their pregnancy to several months postpartum, and how fulfilling it has been to find a balance between academics, training and her work.