Tennessee graduate student-athlete Nicole Sreenan, a three-time NCAA Division 2 champion and 13-time All-American at Grand Valley State in Michigan, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her transition to competing for the Volunteers, who are scheduled to compete in their indoor season opener Jan. 14-15 at the Virginia Tech Invitational. Sreenan, 22, is pursuing Masters degrees in sociology, with an emphasis on criminology, as well as leadership, pursuing a certificate in legal studies, with eligibility remaining for this indoor season, in addition to the outdoor seasons in the spring of 2022 and 2023. She revisits on the process of entering the transfer portal and having to wait until August to gain acceptance into the Masters program at Tennessee. Sreenan also reflects on her final Division 2 outdoor championship meet in May at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich., and winning both the 400-meter crown, along with contributing to the 4x100 relay title. She examines the development throughout her career with the Lakers and how significant it was to win Division 2 indoor and outdoor championships in the 400, as well as looking forward to the challenge of competing in the Southeastern Conference and measuring herself against several returning Division 1 All-Americans. Sreenan explains how meaningful it is to have Tennessee head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan as a mentor, along with the opportunity to collaborate with sprint coach Ken Harnden, and how much he has helped her become stronger and improve her mechanics. She also shares the benefit of training with teammate Joella Lloyd, an Olympian from Antigua and Barbuda. Sreenan speaks about being part of the impact group of transfers that have the potential to contribute for the Volunteers this year, and how significant it would be for her to compete March 11-12 at the Division 1 indoor championship meet at the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala., the same venue where she won the Division 2 indoor title last year for the Lakers. She also recaps how inspiring it was to follow the success of her former Grand Valley State teammates during the fall cross country season, along with watching the improvement of her new Tennesee teammates as well. Sreenan shares her condolences over the recent passing of Ashland coach Jud Logan as a result of COVID-related pneumonia and his impact on the national presence of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, in addition to the track and field community. She also speaks about the journey with her dog Saint, who traveled with Sreenan from Michigan to Tennessee, and was featured in her Grand Valley State graduation photos.