Perry Irons, a runner at William & Mary, exemplifies the essence of the Tribe spirit. With a journey marked by resilience and passion, Irons has become an integral part of the cross country and track teams, contributing not only with her athletic prowess but also with her vibrant personality and leadership.

Originally a 400-meter hurdler at Tulane University, Irons' path took a dramatic turn when she faced significant injuries, including stress fractures in her hip and foot, and a torn hamstring right before her first meet at William & Mary.

These setbacks led her to step away from the sport after her first year at William & Mary.

However, the love for running never left her heart, and after a year hiatus, Irons returned to the team with a renewed spirit and determination.

"After that, I was just kind of fed up with the sport, beyond frustrated," Irons said. "I put in so much work to just continue to get injured, was beyond infuriating. So, I took a step back."

During her time away from the track, Irons lived her life to the fullest, made friends outside of the team, and embraced the college experience. However, she soon realized that her love for running remained strong.

"In that year off, I realized I still had a love for the sport and I still wanted to come back. I literally emailed all the coaches, went to Coach Heacock's office and begged him to let me come back on. And eventually, now we're here. So, I'm very glad I ended up where I belong."

A LEGAL DREAM

Irons, who is pursuing her master's degree in business analytics at William & Mary, has aspirations beyond the track. Her goal is to become a sports lawyer, inspired by her favorite movie, Legally Blonde. Much like the character Elle Woods, Irons is determined to make her mark in the legal field, with a keen interest in compliance, athlete rights, and NIL dealings.

Her love for the movie goes beyond inspiration. It's also a bonding experience with her father, as they have watched it together more than 20 times.

"After I complete my MSBA degree and my cross-country and track eligibility, I'll be going to Pepperdine Law School next year, which is super exciting, and I aspire to become a sports lawyer," Irons said. "So, my dream is to work in-house with compliance, kind of like what Paul Cox (W&M's Associate AD for Compliance & Administration) does, or potentially be a sports agent."

A LEADER OF YOUNG WOMEN

Irons may be new to cross country, but she's a veteran presence on the team, which is loaded with underclassmen. The experience of Irons is invaluable on a team with 17 underclassmen, including nine freshmen.

"Even though all of us joke that I'm like the oldest freshman ever, again this is my first time ever running distance and cross country, my 5K was my first 5K ever, that 4K was my first 4K ever, I'm still the oldest person on the team," Irons said. "Despite my inexperience in cross-country, I'm still experienced in track and the college life, so stepping in as a leader and older sister to all the people is natural. I just try my best to include everyone, check in on everyone, and uplift their as much as I can."

A LOVE FOR RUNNING AND ZABLE STADIUM

Irons' favorite spot on campus is Zable Stadium, not just because of its beauty, but also the memories it holds. As a central hub of campus, it's a place where Irons feels connected to the university community.

Beyond the track, Irons enjoys being outdoors, going on excursions with friends, and indulging in baking when time allows. Her love for running is multifaceted, serving as a form of therapy, a rewarding endeavor, and a means to connect with incredible people.

"I love running for a lot of reasons," Irons said. "One, it's kind of like free therapy. It helps clear your mind and process things that are going on in your life. You can take out your stress, plan your day, or your next nail color during your run.

"But I also love how rewarding it is. You kind of get in what you put into it. So, if you work really hard, results will typically show. And if you just kind of slack off, those results will typically show as well."

A STRONG START

Irons has gotten off to a strong start in her first cross country season. In just her first two races for the Tribe, she has been the top runner finishing in the top-five at both the Spider Alumni Open and the Virginia Invite. In the latter, she was the event runner-up.

Twice in the first month of the season, she was named the CAA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week.

Irons attributes some of her early success to being unfamiliar with the distance, which allows her to race without expectations and pressure.

"I do think ignorance is bliss a little bit," Irons said. "Not having expectations or really knowing what to expect going into any of these races allows me to just go in completely fearless and ready to compete.

"But also, I do think I am a really strong competitor, and I just love running and competing so much that these races are super fun for me, which definitely helped a lot with my success. Also, I'm also on a team full of supportive, amazing, and inspiring girls which also helps."

A FAMILY ROOTED IN HISTORY AND AGRICULTURE

Irons comes from a family with deep roots in history and agriculture. She is named after Commodore Perry, who led the Perry Expedition to open trade in Japan in 1854. Growing up on a farm, Irons learned the values of hard work and humility, which have undoubtedly contributed to her success both on and off the track.

Her father, in particular, serves as a significant inspiration, having worked his way through school and building a successful career through sheer determination.

"My dad definitely is the hardest-working individual I've ever met in my life," Irons said. "He's worked his way through school and has just made a great career for himself just off of hard work and determination."

A BUBBLY PERSONALITY

Irons' outgoing and bubbly personality adds a unique dimension to the team. Her positivity and determination make her a natural leader and role model for her teammates. Whether it's through her signature pigtails during races or her infectious enthusiasm, Irons leaves a lasting impression on everyone she meets.

"I definitely do pride myself on trying to bring everyone up and include everyone, so I think that's also a really cool achievement," Irons said.

As the cross country season unfolds, Irons is focused on keeping the positive momentum going and pushing her limits. With the support of her teammates and the Tribe community, she is determined to make a mark in the realm of cross country and beyond.

"I really want to help the girls and all of us to be able to win CAAs and win regionals and get as far as we all possibly can in the realm of cross country," Irons said.