Columbia University Athletics

2022-23 (Senior): (XC) Did not compete in any events … (ITF/OTF): Did not participate in any events

2021-22 (Junior): (XC) Ran the 5K at the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown (Sept. 24) with a time of 19:02.3 ... Finished 16th in the 2.49M (15:00.9) at the Stony Brook XC Invite (Sept. 4) ... (ITF) Did not compete in any races ... (OTF) Finished first in the 3,000m at the Yale Springtime Invite (May 1), clocking a time of 9:59.22 ... Took second with a personal best time of 17:26.09 in the 5,000m at the Larry Ellis Invite (Apr. 15-16).

2020-2021 (Sophomore): Season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019-20 (First-Year): (XC) Did not compete in any races. (Indoor) Did not compete in any events. (Outdoor) Season canceled.

High School: Won letters in cross country, indoor and outdoor track during all four years at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, Massachusetts ... Cross Country (2018) and indoor track (2018-19) team captain ... Earned first-team honors in the MIAA Eastern Division 4's 2-Mile Run (Outdoor) in 2016 ... Took second-team honors All-State honors in the MIAA in the 2-Mile Run (Indoor) ... Member of the two-time Catholic Conference League Champions in cross country (2017-18) ... Holds school records in the 5K (XC); 3K (XC); 2-Mile (Indoor); 1-Mile (Indoor); 2-Mile (Outdoor) and 1-Mile (Outdoor) ... Member of the National Honor Society (2018-19) ... Academic First Honors (2015-19) and Recipient of the Yale Book Award.

Personal: Born, Lauren Ann Grela, on Jan. 10, 2001, in Boston, Massachusetts ... Daughter of Peter and Linda Grela ... Has two older siblings, Meghan (23) and Erin (21) ... Sister Meghan (Dartmouth Class of 2017) ran cross country and track at Dartmouth from 2013-17 ...  Started running because of older sisters did, but fell in love when discovering what it has to offer ... Loves watching football ... Loves to paint and draw, earning Honorable Mention for the National Scholastic Art and Writing Contest in 2016 and 2017 ... Pizza is pre-race (night before) meal of choice ... Was recruited by fellow Ivy League programs Cornell and Yale along with Williams ... Settled on Columbia because "the relationships formed among the cross country team members is something I wanted to be a part of" ... Will attend Columbia College ... Major is undecided.

Career Bests
5K (XC) - 19:02.3
Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown - Sept. 24, 2021
2.49M (XC) - 15:00.9
Stony Brook XC Invite - Sept. 4, 2021
5000m (Outdoor) - 17:26.09
Larry Ellis Invite - Apr. 15-16, 2022
3000m (Outdoor) - 9:59.22
Yale Springtime Invite - May 1, 2022