TRACK AND FIELD: Analise Fabre hangs it up with record-breaking closure
May 17—BEMIDJI — Track and field is embedded deep in Analise Fabre's DNA.
"It is a big part of who I am," the Bemidji State senior said. "I've been doing it for over half of my life."
Fabre entered into BSU as a walk-on and shattered records, evolving into the most accomplished triple jumper in Beaver history. But what's life like for an athlete once they hang it up at the end of their career?
For Fabre, she braced for that transition before her senior year ended.
"You have to start moving on with your life before track ends," she said of making post-college plans. "I had to graduate before my track season ended. Having to say goodbye (takes preparation). ... Just go in having fun at least, because that's all you can do. Tell yourself that, regardless of how it ends, you gave it your all every single time."
With that in mind, there was no better way to go out than exactly how she did.
Fabre broke Bemidji State's outdoor triple jump record four straight times to close out her career, including
a personal-best leap of 39 feet, 3 inches at the NSIC Championships
on May 14. She was seeded 10th coming in yet placed third in the conference, surpassing the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark and earning all-conference honors.
"I jumped, and I knew it was a fairly decent jump, but I didn't know it was a 39-3," Fabre said. "After I saw the board... I had to fight back some tears because that was a goal I had set for myself.
"I was just over the moon. I felt like I was in a dream at that point."
Fabre exits with seven of the 10 best triple jump marks in BSU outdoor history. She also holds the indoor record of 37-11.25, but her outdoor production this spring has been particularly impressive.
Especially with her humble beginnings.
"I certainly did not come in as a star athlete," said Fabre, a St. Charles native. "I never went to state track (in high school) or anything. I came in as a walk-on, honestly. I started off jumping 33-11 and added on almost six feet. That doesn't really happen very often, so I'm thankful that I was given the opportunity."
As she attended BSU, Fabre did so knowing she wanted to remain in the world of track and field after her career ended.
Fabre earned her bachelor's degree in exercise science with a medical fitness emphasis. She minored in psychology and received a coaching certificate. On her graduation day, she even broke the triple jump record once again at a meet in Mankato.
Starting in June, she's pursuing a master's degree in athletic training at the University of North Florida.
Then, if all goes according to plan, coaching.
"I'm definitely looking forward to growing, not only academically but also as a person," Fabre said. "I'm hoping to, down the road, become a track coach and carry those qualities I've seen from my high school coaches and my college coaches into my philosophy as a coach."
Her playing days may be done, but Fabre wields a passion for the sport that won't easily be broken.
Track and field may be in her DNA, but BSU's record book is also full of her name. It's a mutual bond, each thriving because of the other.
"Everyone that goes here, we bleed green and white 'til the day we die," Fabre said. "Bemidji is a great community, and I could not be more proud to represent that place."
