Trinity Parson has been running long distances as far back as she can remember. The love affair with the open road, as well as her passion for her faith, has led to a crossing of sorts in Marion, Indiana. Wednesday afternoon, Parson held her signing celebration to pen her National Letter of Intent to continue her cross country career at Indiana Wesleyan University.
“I was so joyful to get that message that they wanted me for their team,” noted Parson at her signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon. “Knowing their history and being a part of that, to learn more about running and being out to pursue Jesus…yeah…that’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Parson has been a force in the West Noble running programs since she arrived at the high school as a freshman. The four-time All-NECC performer in cross country helped the team to three titles, winning season and tournament titles as a sophomore and a tournament title as a junior. Also a three-time All-NECC performer as a sophomore, junior and senior in distance events in track, in what’s been a very successful stint in Ligonier.
Running for a legacy program like West Noble has prepared Parson for that next step in joining another program with a rich history. IWU women’s cross country has a pointed history, winning four Crossroads League titles in a five-year stretch in the 2000s, and recently finished 11th at the 2025 NAIA Nationals. Given the men’s dominance as well, having just won the NAIA Nationals and are ranked No. 1 - and the women ranked No. 11 - there’s no time for regression.
“Yeah, they certainly have a lot of history there and knowing some people who have run there, you know what to expect when you sign up,” Parson said. “All these people I know had so many great experiences there and, truthfully, it fills my cup up. This is the place I want to be.”
Parson is blending her faith and her compassion into her academic major, which will be special education. With IWUs faith-first approach, Parson will feel right at home, and being just a little over an hour from home, the choice to become a Wildcat was a perfect match.
“I’m very excited to start learning special education from a biblical point of view, as well as begin youth ministry there,” concluded Parson.