A member of a top-three NCAA cross country team in the nation, it would be easy to assume the University of New Mexico’s Tina Nisoli followed the course of most other exemplary athletes with a decorated prep career translating into college success. But her story took an uncommon route.

Nisoli went to a high school — Los Alamos High — that has one of the top cross country teams in New Mexico year after year. But Nisoli never participated in cross country or track at the school.

What she did was run every afternoon during a free period after lunch because she was restless and needed a release to be able to sit still in class the rest of the day. Often she would wear Converse sneakers and jeans, not athletic apparel and running shoes.

Now, she has a chance to wear a medal around her neck at the end of the season as the Lobos pursue a national championship.

In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron speak with Nisoli about her unusual path to becoming an elite college athlete.

Nisoli shares why she decided not to run in high school and how she still ended up running for a college program that is consistently one of the best in the nation. She also talks about how she has balanced athletics with studying to be a nurse.

The Lobos’ men’s and women’s teams have both produced not just some of the best runners in the NCAA, but some of the best in the world. Nisoli shares what sort of influence they have had on her through her college career.

In the second segment, Will and James review the football action from the past week and make their picks for this week’s prep football games, including the game of the week between St. Michael’s and West Las Vegas.