CULVER -- If you're Alex Banfich, winning a state title is nothing new. The two she earned this year brought her gold medal total to eight. As the most decorated high school distance runner in Hoosier history, and captain of the cross country, swimming, and track teams at Culver Academy -- Banfich is deserving of the Student Athlete of the Year distinction.

It may be a very long time before the state of Indiana sees another runner like the Plymouth native. With eight state titles, Banfich stands alone in a place where no Hoosier distance runner, boy or girl, has ever stood.

"She's just a great all around person, and she works hard at everything she does and is committed to those things. She stepped onto the scene her freshman year and did a nice job. She’s improved every single year since then," Coach Mike Chastain told WSBT Sports.

Her "improvement" has concluded with a dozen IHSAA award medals to her name. However, no gold or self awarded titles are mentioned, when we asked her what she's most proud of.

"Having girls ask me for advice really meant a lot this year. All 3 of my sports, especially cross country and track, may seem like individual sports, but there is a team aspect to it. Being able to reinforce that and help other girls has been really valuable this year," commented Banfich.

Next year at Princeton, Banfich looks forward to the challenge that running in the Ivy Leagues has to offer.

"I really want to step it up next year and be able to train with those girls and compete with those girls, and hopefully they'll make it back to the NCAA Tournament and we'll be running in Terre Haute next year! It's a great school and the coach is really great so I’m excited. I hope it goes well," said Banfich.

"I worked really hard to get where I am and I hope that's an example that other girls can take to work hard and practice hard and be really diligent about your eating, your studying, and keeping everything balanced. Just making sure you're on top of all that will get you success, and that's what I want to be remembered for, just working hard and making it all work out."

Congratulations to Culver Academy’s Alex Banfich, WSBT’s Burger King Outstanding High School Student Athlete of the Year!

To watch the full interview with Alex Banfich, click on the link in the Multimedia box.