Green Hope senior sprinter Corinne Isaacs is trading in her green and black for Yale blue after officially committing to Yale University’s Division I Track and Field team in October 2024. She is set to major in the History of Science, Medicine, and Public Health on the pre-med track, merging her passions for medicine and athletics.
Isaacs runs the 100m, 200m — with personal records of 11.96 seconds and 24.46 seconds, respectively — and occasionally the 400m. She also often ran in the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 relays under the guidance of Coach Gardiner and Coach Ross at Green Hope.
“My first introduction to track was when I was 8,” she said. “I did a short informal program that allowed elementary kids to try out new sports. I gave track a chance since I liked running around during recess and I really enjoyed it.”
Although she continued to explore the sport throughout middle school, it wasn’t until high school that she began to train consistently.
“I had to learn how to balance academics and athletics in addition to my personal life. But track has also taught me how to push myself through difficulty,” she said. “Reminding myself to keep pushing in a relay for my teammates or to drive a bit harder to get the PR I’m aiming for have helped me push through.”
This determined mentality helped her strive through the challenges of track meets and the recruitment process. Out of all of the Ivy League schools that Isaacs had the option to explore, Yale stood out immediately to her.
“Yale’s team had the best atmosphere of any other school that I had visited,” she said. “The school is very community-oriented and allows you to meet so many different individuals from all different backgrounds.”
She remembers the exact moment her dreams became reality. “A couple of weeks after my visit, I had received a call from Coach Max, the sprint coach,” she recalled. “He offered me a spot on the team and I was ecstatic. The whole experience felt surreal.”
Issacs’ focus is now set on the future. With the support of Yale’s athletic staff, she aims to improve her technique and lower her times, hoping to excel both on the track and in the classroom.
When asked about inspirations, Isaacs points out a role model who has successfully followed the same path she strives to take.
“Gabby Thomas has been a huge inspiration for me,” she said. “It helps keep me motivated to know that my ambitions aren’t too outlandish and it is possible to achieve my goals of being successful academically and athletically.”
As her time at Green Hope comes to an end, Isaacs inspires the next generation of student-athletes to aim high and shows that passion and perseverance can take you far.
