Completed Event: Women's Golf at Bandana Invitational on September 23, 2025 , , 2nd of 15 (+23)
Final
Women's Golf
at Bandana Invitational
2nd of 15 (+23)
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Athlete Awards
Shapiro, Natalie
Natalie Shapiro
- Award:
- Athletes of the Week
- Week:
- 8/4/2022
- Sport:
- Women's Cross Country
- Bio:
- View Full Bio
Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2024 who are currently in their "Sophomore Summers" presented by the Norwich Inn.
This installment focuses on Natalie Shapiro of women's cross country and women's track & field. A native of Morganville, New Jersey, Shapiro finished her sophomore year by breaking her personal best in the 5000m by 27 seconds at the Princeton Elite Invitational.
DartmouthSports.com: What have you been doing during your sophomore summer?
Natalie Shapiro: Sophomore summer has been great so far. I am not taking classes because I am a three-sport athlete, so summer is my off-term. This gives me time to really get into training for cross country. Dartmouth is such a beautiful place to run and train. I'm definitely taking advantage of the time and scenery and doing some doubles and cross training in the river. I am also doing research for the national parks association where I am analyzing data that tracks bird migrations and relates them to climate change and climate patterns. This summer has also been great for building my resume and applying for some future jobs. Most of all though, I am spending a lot of time with my team and friends, just enjoying the summer.
DS: What is your favorite place on campus?
NS: My favorite place on campus is easily my team's locker room. I have spent way too many hours there. It's a great place to take a 30-minute shower, eat a nice granola bar and chocolate milk meal, have a good cry, make a TikTok or submit a paper that is due within the hour. In all seriousness though, the locker room is just a really nice place to talk about running and think about running before and after you run.
DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
NS: When I was choosing a school, I knew that I wanted to really push myself and maximize my potential in as many aspects as possible. I was immediately drawn to Dartmouth because of its elite status both academically and athletically. However, what really set Dartmouth apart from other schools, especially other Ivies, was the balance that I observed from the people I met. Dartmouth athletes are series about their sports, they are academically successful and they genuinely have a lot of fun and enjoy their time at Dartmouth. Perfectionism and ambition can drive a lot of people crazy, and I felt like Dartmouth was a place where people were finding success while still enjoying life.
DS: If you could play another sport at Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
NS: I genuinely think running is the greatest thing and wouldn't want to change my sport. But if I have to, I think I would want to be a cross country skier. I am not great at ball sports and I think cross country skiing seems like it has a similar vibe in terms of skill set, but also people.
DS: Outside of sports, what are you most passionate about?
NS: I am really passionate about protecting the environment. Running has given me such an appreciation and connection with nature and the earth, and I feel strongly about giving back to all the woods, trails and beaches that sustained my training all these years.
DS: Other than your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life?
NS: My high school track and cross country coach is really important to me. There was this sort of loophole where I could attend a different public school in my district if I did JROTC. I did that and got to run for this guy. He was a phenomenal coach with experience training Olympians. More than that though, he helped me grow my love for running and also just as a person. I still call him every other week to check in and say hi.
DS: How is Hanover different or similar to where you grew up.
NS: Hanover is pretty different from where I grew up. I am from New Jersey, just off the shore, so growing up, my social life has always revolved around the beach. My hometown is also just way more crowded and populated than Hanover. I always felt pretty in the middle of everything (the beach, New York City, etc.) at home so it's very different now to be in the middle of …nowhere? I love it so much though. Dartmouth is this little island where everything feels safe, good and peaceful. I know this is the only time in my life where I will get to live in a place like this.
DS: What show do you binge watch?
NS: H20: Just Add Water.
DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
NS: I would buy a beach house right away. Then, I would pay for all my college and any future education expenses. I would buy my dad a new car and buy my mom another dog as gifts. I would also buy my brother and sister a ton of really nice running clothes, Tracksmith, probably. After that, I think I would just go online shopping and buy all the clothes, shoes, makeup, paint, candles, etc., I could possibly want. After that, I would throw a party in my beach house. And finally, I would walk around and hand out $100 to strangers to get rid of the rest of the money.
DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
NS: I would love to take a fifth year somewhere warm to run some more. After that, I want to go into environmental consulting and live in San Diego. I also have this day-dreamy alternative life path in my head where I move to Hawaii and become a professional triathlete for a few years. But the first option is more likely. We will see.
This installment focuses on Natalie Shapiro of women's cross country and women's track & field. A native of Morganville, New Jersey, Shapiro finished her sophomore year by breaking her personal best in the 5000m by 27 seconds at the Princeton Elite Invitational.
DartmouthSports.com: What have you been doing during your sophomore summer?
Natalie Shapiro: Sophomore summer has been great so far. I am not taking classes because I am a three-sport athlete, so summer is my off-term. This gives me time to really get into training for cross country. Dartmouth is such a beautiful place to run and train. I'm definitely taking advantage of the time and scenery and doing some doubles and cross training in the river. I am also doing research for the national parks association where I am analyzing data that tracks bird migrations and relates them to climate change and climate patterns. This summer has also been great for building my resume and applying for some future jobs. Most of all though, I am spending a lot of time with my team and friends, just enjoying the summer.
DS: What is your favorite place on campus?
NS: My favorite place on campus is easily my team's locker room. I have spent way too many hours there. It's a great place to take a 30-minute shower, eat a nice granola bar and chocolate milk meal, have a good cry, make a TikTok or submit a paper that is due within the hour. In all seriousness though, the locker room is just a really nice place to talk about running and think about running before and after you run.
DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
NS: When I was choosing a school, I knew that I wanted to really push myself and maximize my potential in as many aspects as possible. I was immediately drawn to Dartmouth because of its elite status both academically and athletically. However, what really set Dartmouth apart from other schools, especially other Ivies, was the balance that I observed from the people I met. Dartmouth athletes are series about their sports, they are academically successful and they genuinely have a lot of fun and enjoy their time at Dartmouth. Perfectionism and ambition can drive a lot of people crazy, and I felt like Dartmouth was a place where people were finding success while still enjoying life.
DS: If you could play another sport at Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
NS: I genuinely think running is the greatest thing and wouldn't want to change my sport. But if I have to, I think I would want to be a cross country skier. I am not great at ball sports and I think cross country skiing seems like it has a similar vibe in terms of skill set, but also people.
DS: Outside of sports, what are you most passionate about?
NS: I am really passionate about protecting the environment. Running has given me such an appreciation and connection with nature and the earth, and I feel strongly about giving back to all the woods, trails and beaches that sustained my training all these years.
DS: Other than your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life?
NS: My high school track and cross country coach is really important to me. There was this sort of loophole where I could attend a different public school in my district if I did JROTC. I did that and got to run for this guy. He was a phenomenal coach with experience training Olympians. More than that though, he helped me grow my love for running and also just as a person. I still call him every other week to check in and say hi.
DS: How is Hanover different or similar to where you grew up.
NS: Hanover is pretty different from where I grew up. I am from New Jersey, just off the shore, so growing up, my social life has always revolved around the beach. My hometown is also just way more crowded and populated than Hanover. I always felt pretty in the middle of everything (the beach, New York City, etc.) at home so it's very different now to be in the middle of …nowhere? I love it so much though. Dartmouth is this little island where everything feels safe, good and peaceful. I know this is the only time in my life where I will get to live in a place like this.
DS: What show do you binge watch?
NS: H20: Just Add Water.
DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
NS: I would buy a beach house right away. Then, I would pay for all my college and any future education expenses. I would buy my dad a new car and buy my mom another dog as gifts. I would also buy my brother and sister a ton of really nice running clothes, Tracksmith, probably. After that, I think I would just go online shopping and buy all the clothes, shoes, makeup, paint, candles, etc., I could possibly want. After that, I would throw a party in my beach house. And finally, I would walk around and hand out $100 to strangers to get rid of the rest of the money.
DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
NS: I would love to take a fifth year somewhere warm to run some more. After that, I want to go into environmental consulting and live in San Diego. I also have this day-dreamy alternative life path in my head where I move to Hawaii and become a professional triathlete for a few years. But the first option is more likely. We will see.
Date | Athlete | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 9/23/2025 | D.J. Crowther | Football |
| 9/23/2025 | Kate Ryan | Women's Soccer |
| 9/16/2025 | Eidur Baldvinsson | Men's Soccer |
| 9/16/2025 | Ella Bowman | Field Hockey |
| 9/9/2025 | Kauany Gutz | Women's Volleyball |
| 9/9/2025 | Ashton Bange | Men's Cross Country |
| 9/2/2025 | Konstantinos Dellas | Men's Soccer |
| 9/2/2025 | Marley Larkin | Women's Rugby |
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