That’s too bad but I can’t say that I’m surprised. Stephens showed a lot of promise and before Hartman’s breakthrough and her injury, I honestly thought she would be the torchbearer for the program. As it is now she may have found it difficult to find a spot in the top 7 this upcoming fall.
I hope it all works out well for Stephens and she lands on her feet in a good situation.
Stephens is a fighter but I always thought her style is not the right fit at NC State. Her stellar rise to the top as a true freshman was very different than the methodical approach Tuohy, Hartman, and Stephens took. When Stephens was eased back from an injury she got at the end of the cross country season, she was supposed to pace Chmiel for 6k in a 10k pace at Penn, but ended up “feeling good” and completed the entire race just ahead of Chmiel. That victory actually landed Stephens right back to the sideline. Hard to know how Chmiel was impacted, since at least losing a close race to young Stephens didn’t help the buildup as Chmiel was recovering from a serious injury and wanted something for her last season. Stephens appears to be a good runner, and she did contribute to the three peat at NC State. It is just time to move on.
Not sure if I agree that stephens would have a hard time making the top 7 for XC. But it really depends on how she recovers and her mental health. She clearly has a lot of talent when she's healthy.
But I agree 100% about her attitude not being a good fit for the team. I was so pissed at her for taking the Penn relay 10k the way she did. Especially since it caused her a setback from her recovery.