Student Spotlight: Hazel Probst

Running the Course of Discovery

Hazel Probst embodies the spirit of a UAF student-athlete: driven, passionate, and versatile. A standout on UAF’s cross-country team and a dedicated anthropology major, Hazel balances the grit of NCAA Division II Nationals training with the intellectual curiosity of studying human cultures. In a year when her team made history on the national stage, she’s also quietly excelling in classrooms, embodying the diversity, resilience, and ambition that define the College of Liberal Arts.

We caught up with Hazel to learn more about how she navigates life as a CLA student-athlete, balancing her academic and athletic pursuits with grace and determination.

The team made history at the NCAA Division II Nationals this year—what was the experience like for you, and what are you most proud of?

"I have an immense respect for this team. We defy all odds, a ragtag, thrown together group of passionate runners in Fairbanks, Alaska, a city whose winters are unfriendly toward the sport. We train on the SRC treadmills and 215 meter track for weeks, attempting when possible to slide around on the ice outside for easy runs. We show up to races where nervous teams of other elite runners anxiously await the start of the race, as our team laughs and messes around until the gun goes off. But, once it’s time to perform, that’s exactly what we do. We push our bodies to run the fastest 6k it has ever run and then collapse over the line, embracing each other and giving congratulations no matter how fast the time.

I am most proud of the work these ladies put in when no one is watching. It takes an immense amount of pain, suffering, and commitment to perform at the level they do. We are all proud and thankful for our coach, Conrad Haber, for continuously showing up with a positive attitude, pushing us to our limits, and being supportive on good and bad days. This team is 100% a unit and it took everyone on it to make history at Division II Nationals, that I know for certain."

Do you have any tips or advice for students who want to balance academics with a big extracurricular commitment, like being a student-athlete?

"Commit to anything you’re doing wholeheartedly, the saying is true, the work you put into something directly correlates to what you get out of it. If I feel like I’m drowning in stress, I take a step back to look at the entire picture and remind myself that the world is small and nothing matters, everything will work out in the end. Also, getting a good night’s sleep, eating food, and drinking water helps the human brain to handle higher, college levels of stress."

What first got you interested in anthropology, and what’s been your favorite part of studying it at UAF?

"I appreciate how broad the subject of anthropology is and how applicable the major is to Alaska. The opportunities for anthropological research here are unmatched. My favorite part of studying at UAF is meeting professors and fellow students who are just as excited about the various fields of anthropology as I am."

How has being a student in the College of Liberal Arts helped you grow and get ready for what’s next after college?

"Being a CLA student has taught me to be communicative with peers and professors, open-minded, and persistent when working on difficult or time-consuming projects. I will take these skills into my life after college for sure. I will be able to effectively and consistently communicate with my future coworkers, finish projects with a good attitude, and interact with colleagues judgement-free."

How do you stay organized and keep a balance between school, life, and everything else?

"Honestly, this is a hard one that I will be working on for at least the next twenty years (hopefully I’ll have it figured out by then). There will always be an aspect of my life that takes more time and energy than others, I just make sure that thing is something I enjoy, a part of my life that excites me in that moment. Maybe one semester I put a lot of time into a project for my favorite class and the next semester, training for an epic fat-tire bike race takes priority over my passion for academia."

 

 

Hazel’s journey is a testament to the strength found in balance—between sport and study, between individuality and teamwork, and between challenge and joy. As she prepares for life after UAF, her words of wisdom resonate: embrace your passions, persist through the difficulties, and always appreciate the people who support you along the way. Hazel isn’t just running toward finish lines; she’s shaping a future defined by determination and discovery.