Makayla Paige, who began her running journey at age 8, has made a name for herself at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) as a national champion and four-time All-American. Currently a graduate student, she is pursuing a Master of Applied Professional Studies while also focusing on her athletic career. Paige's journey has not been without challenges; she faced an injury during her sophomore year that sidelined her for both indoor and outdoor seasons. However, she made a remarkable comeback, winning the NCAA indoor championship in 2025 with a time of 2:00:39. Her triumph was not just personal; she shared the spotlight with fellow Tar Heel Ethan Strand, who won the men's 3,000 national championship the same day. Paige's academic interests shifted from pharmacy to geological sciences after taking an introductory course, leading her to conduct research and develop a passion for sustainability in sports. With aspirations to run professionally, she is also exploring environmentally friendly practices in the sports industry, inspired by her experiences with On, a sportswear company. As she leads her team, Paige values the support of her teammates and aims to mentor younger runners, preparing for an exciting outdoor season ahead.