TRADITION. Although Allika wasn’t the first Pearson to arrive in Siloam Springs, she continued a multi-generational tradition at John Brown University. Beginning with her grandfather, former Golden Eagle coach Jim Pearson, her father, five-time All-America harrier and future Golden Eagle head coach Matt Pearson, followed before her brother, Elliott. The latest but most-decorated Pearson continued the lineage when Allika joined a women’s running program that had very little tradition of its own. However, much like how she left the program record books, Allika changed that, laying the foundations of success the cross country and track & field programs.

RELENTLESS. Allika never wavered in her pursuit to become the best runner she could be. Easily logging over 10,000 miles during her four years as a Golden Eagle, she persevered – despite the incredible heat and humidity or the bitter cold hovering just above zero degrees. Allika paid attention to the smallest of details in training to gain any advantage she could and she trained purposefully and consistently to be ready for any opportunity that presented itself to excel on the course or track.

FEARLESS. Regardless of the event, distance or the competition, Allika always dictated the terms of the race to the rest of the field; she made the most of every chance to compete. An opposing coach once noted, “If Allika was in the race, we knew it was going to be a very difficult and fast race.” Her preferred race tactic was to quickly launch to the front of the pack, forcing all the other competitors to decide if they were able and willing to match her fitness and determination. That fearlessness culminated in Allika earning eight of the cross country program’s top 10 times ever.

LEGACY. The two-time Sooner Athletic championship meet individual champion leaves an incredible legacy that included a consistent trend of defeating more heralded opponents. She overcame difficult circumstances – seasons being canceled or delayed, uncertainty, and extra requirements – to be able to compete. Nevertheless, Allika continued to prepare for the opportunities that were given, and she always took advantage. Upon graduation, the Siloam Springs native became the first JBU female runner to earn All-America honors in program history, and ultimately finished with four such honors – twice in cross country – and completed the “triple crown” by scoring in the national meet in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. She leaves the program as the leader in the cross country 5,000 meter race, the indoor track 800 meter, mile, 3,000 meter and 5,000 meter events and the outdoor track 800 meter, 1,500 meter, 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter events.