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A Senior Season Shortened; Lexi Cadden Reflects on Athletic Career & Forecasts Future Career Goals
The Duquesne Dukes women’s track and field team had three Erie County natives in their program this year, including senior Alexis “Lexi” Cadden. Cadden spent the first half of her high school career at Iroquois before transferring to Villa Maria Academy. The transfer was helpful in several ways, but it ultimately helped her find her passion for long jump.
At Iroquois, Cadden was a star in the 100, 200, and 4×100 meter runs. She was a state qualifier as a sophomore in the 100-meter dash, and she broke the school record in the 100-meter race, previously held by one of her mother Chrissel Cocerez’s closest friends, Amy Krajinik. When talking about breaking this record, Cadden said, “Breaking that record meant a lot to me. My mother was there that day, and it was such an emotional moment we shared and will always remember.
After her sophomore year at Iroquois, her family moved into the City of Erie, and Cadden decided she wanted to attend Villa Maria Academy. She saw familiar faces on her visit to Villa Maria, where she participated in gymnastics for 11 years growing up, and felt most comfortable continuing her education there. The decision to head to Villa made all of the difference for Cadden in her track and field career because it helped her achieve some incredible feats and find her passion for long jump.
At Iroquois, Cadden never considered long jump, or any field event for that matter. However, Villa Maria’s field and jumping coach Mike Palmer was new to the program like Cadden, and he saw the potential for her to succeed in the event. “I was hesitant at first to try it,” Cadden admitted. “The open-mindedness and willingness to try is something I am glad to have because it helped me fall in love with the event and also helped me stand out when I was getting recruited.”
While her favorite event is long jump, Cadden was a part of a 4×100 meter relay team that made school history in both 2015 and 2016. The team was not expected to medal in the 2015 state championship meet, but the girls finished fourth overall after being seeded 14th in the state heading into the race. After this performance, the group felt 2016 was their year. All four girls from the 2015 team returned in 2016 with their confidence and togetherness only growing from the 2015 season running together.
The girls won the 2016 4×100 relay state title in Class AA which Cadden lists as another one of her favorite memories in her track and field career. “The atmosphere at Shippensburg I cannot explain fully. It is one of the most amazing events to be a part of. It was absolutely packed, and it is such a great time to meet people, be with friends, and compete.” The trips to Shippensburg were always memorable, but Cadden lists visiting Rhode Island as her favorite trip in college. Cadden saw a lot of beauty in the New England region and enjoyed the Atlantic 10 Championship Meet that was held there during her career.
While Cadden could not have been happier she chose Duquesne, she admits it was not her first choice initially. She had offers from Slippery Rock, Youngstown State, Kent State, and Duquesne, but it was the coaching staff, the city of Pittsburgh, and the great education that drew her in. “On my visit, I talked to the coaches and told them this was not my top choice, but their response to this statement shocked me. They told me to do what is best for me and it opened my eyes to how they cared for me as a person. After my visit, I knew Duquesne would give me everything I was searching for.”
At Duquesne, Cadden majored in finance and recently graduated as a part of the 2020 class. Though her senior year of school and track and field was affected, her attitude has remained positive. “Initially, I was so disappointed about school and track and field. Over time, I have chosen to view it as a time to appreciate the opportunities I have had. My college career in track and field was unfortunately filled with injuries, but I will remember it taught me to never give up, work hard to achieve goals, and the importance of balance in life.”
In August, Cadden will begin her first full-time job at BNY Mellon in Pittsburgh. She is happy to stay in Western Pennsylvania, and within a drivable distance to her home of Erie. Along the way with the help of her mom, her siblings Domaenik, Victoriana, Brooklynn, her Papa Jeff Cadden, and many friends, teachers, and coaches, Lexi Cadden has been a young woman poised for success in any venture she embarks on.
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