Amalia Dorion: A Multi-Talented Track and Field Athlete

Amalia Dorion has established herself as a remarkable distance runner, accomplished artist, and influential social media personality. Currently competing as a graduate student-athlete at Suffolk University, Dorion’s journey through collegiate athletics and academics showcases her exceptional drive and diverse talents.

Early Life and High School Career

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Amalia Dorion developed her passion for running at Franklin High School, where she graduated in 201957. During her high school years, she earned five varsity letters in cross country and track & field, garnering All-District and All-City honors that highlighted her early athletic promise57. Her high school personal records included times of 1:03.30 in the 400-meter dash, 2:22.42 in the 800-meter run, and 5:29.87 in the 1600-meter run13.

Despite coming from a family with strong ties to eastern universities, including her paternal grandparents Dorothy S. Dorion, a sports medicine consultant, and the late George H. Dorion, Ph.D., Amalia’s college decision would break family tradition4. Though she was accepted through early admission to Bates College in Maine, she surprised her family by choosing Adams State University in Colorado4.

“Amalia had applied to all colleges in New England and was accepted, through early admission, to Bates College in Maine. My husband and I were stunned when she called and announced she was going to Adams State,” her grandmother Dorothy Dorion recalled4. This decision was primarily influenced by Adams State’s world-class running program under nationally recognized Head Coach Damon Martin4.

College Running Career at Adams State

From 2019 to 2023, Amalia Dorion competed for Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado – a small town sitting at 7,544 feet elevation in southern Colorado24. During her time with the Grizzlies, she developed into a formidable distance runner while making significant contributions to the team’s success10.

Dorion’s athletic achievements at Adams State were substantial. She helped lead the team to three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Cross Country Championships and three cross country regional titles10. Her individual accolades included being named two-time cross country All-RMAC, three-time All-RMAC Indoor, and four-time All-RMAC outdoor10. She was also recognized for her academic excellence as a two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree10.

During her Adams State career, Dorion posted impressive personal bests, including 2:19.71 in the 800 meters at the Don Kirby Tailwind Open, 4:34.02 in the 1500 meters, 4:59.93 in the mile, 16:51.54 in the 5000 meters at the 2023 Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invite, and 36:09.22 in the 10,000 meters at the 2023 Bryan Clay Invitational6.

Graduate Career at Suffolk University

After completing her undergraduate studies at Adams State in spring 2024, Dorion transferred to Suffolk University to pursue a graduate degree in Marketing while continuing her athletic career410. At Suffolk, she has quickly established herself as one of the team’s top performers in both cross country and track1012.

During the 2024-2025 cross country season, Dorion earned All-Conference of New England (CNE) honors and was named CNE Runner of the Week on September 23, 202410. Her notable cross country performances included a third-place finish at the Wheaton & Babson Season Opener with a 3K time of 11:32.2, and another third-place showing at the CNE Championship with a 6K time of 22:13.0610.

On the track, Dorion has continued to excel for Suffolk. Her most recent competitions in spring 2025 have featured several strong results, including a 4:28.44 in the 1500 meters (5th place) at the Final Qualifier at MIT on May 15, 20251. Earlier in the season, she placed second in the 5000 meters (17:44.52) and third in the 1500 meters (4:42.10) at the Conference of New England Outdoor Track & Field Championship1. She also earned fourth-place finishes in both the 1500 meters (4:39.27) and 5000 meters (17:29.84) at the New England D3 Outdoor Track and Field Championships1. Her athletic achievements at Suffolk were recently recognized when she earned USTFCCCA Second-Team All-America honors12.

Beyond Athletics: Art and Social Media Influence

While Dorion’s athletic accomplishments are impressive, her talents extend far beyond the track. At Adams State, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting in spring 20244. During her undergraduate years, she worked as the social media manager for the Art Department, served as head editor and chief for the Sandhill Review Art and Literature Magazine, worked at the Nielsen Library circulation desk, and was a cross country camp counselor4. She also gained professional experience as a social media intern for Track and Field News, the longest-running track and field publication in the USA4.

Dorion has developed a significant following as a social media influencer, particularly on TikTok, where she shares authentic content about the collegiate running experience3. Unlike many running influencers who present an idealized version of the sport, Dorion aims to show the true realities of training and balancing athletics with academics and work3.

“I thought, okay, I’m gonna share how gruesome it can be sometimes, just be totally honest, and also how rewarding it can be. And then I just started posting every day, at least one TikTok every single day. And I don’t know how, but I caught on,” Dorion explained3. This authentic approach to content creation has resonated with many followers and distinguished her from other running influencers3.

Personal Records and Athletic Development

Throughout her collegiate career, Amalia Dorion has shown remarkable improvement in her performances. Her current personal bests include:

• 800 meters: 2:19.716

• 1500 meters: 4:28.441

• Mile: 4:53.131

• 3000 meters: 9:59.061

• 5000 meters: 16:51.546

• 10,000 meters: 36:09.226

• 6K (Cross Country): 22:13.11

• 2 Mile (Cross Country): 11:32.21

This progression represents significant improvement from her high school marks, demonstrating her dedication to developing as an athlete throughout her collegiate career13.

Conclusion

Amalia Dorion exemplifies the modern student-athlete – excelling not only in competition but also in academics and creative pursuits while building a digital presence that inspires others. From her surprising decision to attend Adams State to her current graduate studies at Suffolk University, Dorion has forged her own path. Her accomplishments in distance running, art, and social media influence make her a multidimensional talent whose impact extends beyond finish lines and record books. As she continues her graduate studies and athletic career at Suffolk, Dorion remains an inspiring figure for aspiring student-athletes and content creators alike.

Go Amalia!