Polar Grad Plans to Cycle for Marian University

Had it not been for a knee injury, Oakdale native Lisha Herold might not have received a cycling scholarship to Indiana's Marian University, which has won 14 national cycling titles.

A three-sport athlete at North St. Paul High School, Herold tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing basketball the summer after her freshman year.

Herold did not take the rehabilitation process lightly, nor did she sulk about the injury or make excuses about physical activities, she said.

She was aggressive from the start about getting back in shape and getting her knee stronger, she said, and one way to do that was to hop on a bike.

“I biked a lot the following summer and eventually got so absorbed with it,” she said. “Especially since running hurt so much at the time.

“I made the decision to not go out for cross country in the fall and instead train for a local ride.”

Herold participated in a time trial race in Somerset, WI, where she met Dag Selander of Minnesota Junior Racing (MNJRC).

Selander got Herold more involved in biking for competition as opposed to a hobby for rehabilitation, she said.

Herold has been racing competitively for little more than a year, but she did turn some heads at Marian and will attend the school this fall for her freshman year.

“I was absolutely thrilled and honored,” Herold said of being recruited by Marian. “Since this is only my second season racing, I feel very blessed that the head coach took interest in me.

“I am very excited to be on the team, a little nervous, but definitely ready to learn a lot.”

Herold has not played basketball, cross country or track for the Polars since she took up cycling.

Most of her offseason time involves cross training and preparation for the cycling season, she said, so time for other sports in which she used to participate have now taken a back seat.

Yoga has been a big part of her training regime for strength, flexibility and balance, she said, while Nordic skiing and swimming have aided in endurance training.

Since her knee has been healed, she has picked up running again for training, along with speed skating.

Herold continues to play basketball, but was not on the Polars varsity roster this past season.

At Marian, Herold will major in biology, she said, and she plans to attend medical school.

Marian plans to begin offering courses in osteopathic medicine next year, and Herold said she will consider that option.

Along with one of the best cycling programs in the nation, Herold has her eyes set on what she said is also a great medical school.

“I have heard that Marian has a high passing rate for the MCAT and high acceptance into med schools,” she said. “Next year should be very exciting.”