Ella Baran, the reigning NCAA Division 3 indoor mile champion and division record holder at 4:40.53 along with being a seven-time All-American and contributing to a record-tying seventh women's cross country team title at Johns Hopkins, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her recent decision to transfer to Colorado to complete her final two years of eligibility as well as pursuing a Masters degree in environmental policy after earning an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering. Baran analyzes how significant the team culture was during her experience at Johns Hopkins and how important a factor that was in her decision to choose Colorado. She explains how inspiring it has been to witness the success of recent transfers in the Buffaloes program, in addition to how much Baran is looking forward to training in the middle distance events with Huntington North High of Indiana graduate Addy Wiley. Baran revisits her opportunities racing against student-athletes from Division 1, along with post-collegiate competitors during the indoor season at the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and David Hemery Valentine Invitational, as well as during the outdoor schedule at Raleigh Relays, Virginia Challenge and Penn Relays, and how meaningful those performances were in establishing confidence for her new opportunities at Colorado. She expresses gratitude to Johns Hopkins coach Bobby Van Allen for entering her in those events, in addition to assistant Maura Knestout for being her training partner throughout track season. Baran shares how inspiring it has been to be part of a group of female competitors, along with Emily Pomainville of SUNY Geneseo, Parley Hannan of Ithaca, Kassie Parker of Loras, Esther Seeland of Messiah, Ari Marks of Wellesley and Evie Miller of Trine, who have collectively elevated the records and championship standards in Division 3. She reflects on being able to race at the cross country national final in November in Kentucky and placing ninth overall to help Johns Hopkins win the program's seventh championship, as well as capturing her first NCAA individual crown in the mile in March at JDL Fast Track in North Carolina. Baran speaks about the research groups and internships she has had in recent years and the work she is doing again this summer for Noblis, a not-for-profit corporation based in Washington D.C., where she compiling emissions data to help support a carbon neutral environment. She also looks forward to altitude training for the first time this summer after recovering from a sacral stress reaction during the spring season.