Most people avoid running, and some even view it as a punishment. But for Nina Heverin-Alvarado ‘26, running has always brought her a sense of joy. What others see as exhausting or painful, she views as a freeing, challenging, and deeply meaningful outlet. Her passion is evident through her role as a standout runner, jumper, and captain for both the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams.

 Heverin-Alvarado’s track journey formally took off in eighth grade through a “youth league” through her church before she eventually joined a club team in high school. From an early stage, she developed a strong sense of motivation that was shaped by the influence of those around her.

“I was definitely inspired by the coaches from my first team because they were high schoolers that were running track. It was so cool to see, especially because it was older kids excelling at it and going to the next level,” Heverin-Alvarado said.

Dr. Heverin, Director of Technology at the Baldwin School and also Heverin-Alvarado’s father, shared his memories from the time.

“People just loved watching her run. She was just going so fast and was running so far ahead of everyone else especially in the 400 and people just loved watching her go,” Dr. Heverin said.

After joining her club team, she has taken her training to the next level and feels extremely grateful to her club coach who has had a big impact on her athletic career. 

“He taught me that while track is about pushing yourself to your limit, it is also important that you’re having fun and laughing and connecting,” Heverin-Alvarado said.

A similar balance has transferred to her school life, in which she balances six practices a week, three for club and three for school. Although it started as a challenge for her, track has pushed her to become more organized and intentional with her schedule. 

For example, Heverin-Alvarado has learned to do her work in the morning, when she is the most productive.

“If you really value your activities, you need to learn how to manage your time,” she  said.

Her maturity is also reflected in the way she approaches the sport itself. Rather than attributing success solely to training, she understands that performance is also shaped by both preparation and mindset.

“I think one of my strengths in track is knowing that it’s more than just running,” Heverin-Alvarado said. “It’s a whole process that you have to prepare for to make sure you’re eating good food and you [have] a good mindset.”

Regarding her mindset, she emphasized her passion for the sport beyond achievements and numbers.

“I think what makes me a good runner is that I don’t put so much weight on how I perform,” Heverin-Alvarado said. “At the end of the day, the only reason I keep doing it is that it brings me so much joy.”

This sense of joy is infectious and has translated into how she builds community on Baldwin’s track teams. Several teammates reflected on her impact not only as a standout athlete but also as a role model who shaped the team’s culture. 

“Nina impressed all of us on the track team because of her insane speed, so already I felt inspired,” Annie Reed ‘28 said. “But she also was a huge cheerleader for everyone and [she felt] even more excited than you when you reached your goals or ran fast.”

Sierra Gilbert ‘28 echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Heverin-Alvarado’s encouragement during challenging moments. 

“Nina was always there supporting everyone even when she was not running due to an injury. She always encouraged people especially during challenging workouts when they might have wanted to quit,” Gilbert said.

Heverin-Alvarado’s commitment to supporting and pushing her teammates stems from the resilience she has developed herself. As a 400m and 800m runner, she regularly faces events that demand both physical and mental endurance.

“When you’re running a 400, that last lap is so painful,” Heverin-Alvarado said. “I think it’s taught me that you have to have resilience sometimes and you have to push through difficult things.”

This mindset is one she will carry on into the next steps of her career. As she prepares to join the Washington University track team next year, she is eager to surround herself with athletes who will continue to challenge and motivate her. At Baldwin, Heverin-Alvarado leaves behind not only four school records, but also a lasting example of leadership, positivity, and resilience.