Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / Hackett twins take on life after college
Sisters Alexandria and Michaela Hackett pace each other at the Southland Conference Cross Country Championships. (Photo by Lauren Franco)

Hackett twins take on life after college

January 19, 2018 by Lauren Franco

The first two ACU cross country runners to attend a post-conference competition are sprinting into a new future with the same passions.

Allie and Michaela Hackett, both in graduate school earning their Masters in accounting, are twins in many aspects.

“It just happened that we had the same interests and everything; we are both accounting majors, and we’re pretty identical in every aspect.”

Last fall during cross country season, ACU was able to compete in post-conference competition for the first time since the Div. 1 transition. Because the Hackett twins wanted to have the chance to compete in more than conference, they redshirted their senior year and chose a track allowing them to stay for five years. After placing fifth and sixth, respectively, the twins and the team competed in regionals.

In the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky, Allie placed 94th out of 250 female runners. With only seven seconds between the twins, Michaela placed 117th.

“There were so many runners, and everyone is good, so it’s not like it was a big meet and you could pass a bunch of people,” Michaela said.

Allie said the race required more of a strategic approach than most races.

“You had to be skilled in those kind of meets to get out hard, but not too hard,” Allie said. “I think it was good for us that we had that experience, but we could have done a lot better if we had that experience before.”

In addition to their athletics, the twins are pursuing accounting careers. Last summer, Allie and Michaela interned for Ernst & Young, one of the “big four” accounting firms. In the mornings, the twins said they woke up at 5:15 a.m. to run up to 10 miles, and would be in the office by 8 a.m. In the evening, they would finish their day at home by 6 p.m. and be in bed by 8 p.m.

“That gave us a taste of what our life would be like if we wanted to keep running after college during work, but I’m all for it,” Michaela said. “I want to keep doing it and see what opportunities rise.”

Using their time management skills from being student athletes, the twins said they want to continue running competitively after graduation.

“Running is a huge passion of ours; we couldn’t imagine life without it,” Michaela said. “So ideally after college we’ll still run competitively. We want to get some kind of sponsorship, be on a team or semi-professional runners. It’s definitely in reach, to be ‘partly’ professional runners, but it’s really hard to make a living off of that, so we have to have a real job, and we’re really excited about working for Ernst & Young.”

The two will be working in the Boston office, only an hour away from home. Michaela said that while they will be around the New England culture they missed during their college years, Texas has become their second home, and they can’t wait to visit.

Filed Under: News, Showcase, Sports

Other News:

  • Student life implements new software, updates rushing process

  • Conversations about extension of Brown Library hours continuing

  • Dead Day events bring atmosphere of liveliness

About Lauren Franco

My name is Lauren and I'm the Editor in Chief of the Optimist this year. I'm an avid fan of romantic comedies, the First Amendment and national parks. More than anything, I'm passionate about storytelling via photographs, and love getting to know the heart of people through my lens.

You are here: Home / News / Hackett twins take on life after college

Other News:

  • Student life implements new software, updates rushing process

  • Conversations about extension of Brown Library hours continuing

  • Dead Day events bring atmosphere of liveliness

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
6h

BREAKING: Campus is closed today due to inclement weather.

Reply on Twitter 1620118377296699393 Retweet on Twitter 1620118377296699393 Like on Twitter 1620118377296699393 1 Twitter 1620118377296699393
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
25 Jan

Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. Read more:

https://acuoptimist.com/2023/01/student-life-implements-new-software-for-spring-rushing-season/

Reply on Twitter 1618294775052144640 Retweet on Twitter 1618294775052144640 Like on Twitter 1618294775052144640 Twitter 1618294775052144640

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 day ago

The Optimist
ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. See more photos from our gallery: ... See MoreSee Less

Gallery: 24-Hour Musical tells the heartwarming story of Junie B. Jones - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. This year, the department chose to perform the beloved children’s musical “...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 days ago

The Optimist
Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Student life implements new software, updates rushing process - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. The Campus Director software has an algorithm programmed to match rushe...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Tune in to this week's newscast for a look at Greek Life rushing, the annual ... [Read More…]

  • Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved