FSU accounting students 'crushing it' outside the classroom

Neomi Chapelin, seen competing in the recent Ironman 70.3 Gulf Coast competition, ran the fastest time among female competitors in the Tallahassee Marathon.

Neomi Chapelin and Noah Ramby, accounting students at Florida State University's Herbert Wertheim College of Business, push themselves to the limit inside and outside the classroom, flourishing as terrific students and endurance competitors.  

Allen Blay, chair of the Wertheim College's Department of Accounting and a serious distance competitor himself, says both students have “crushed it” in recent competitions: Chapelin, a student in the Master of Accounting (MAcc) program, ran the fastest time among female competitors in the Tallahassee Marathon, her first marathon. Ramby, a sophomore, completed Ironman Texas in under 10 hours, putting him in the top tier of amateur competitors. 

“It’s amazing that they can train and compete at the level they do while being outstanding students,” Blay says, noting that several other accounting students have excelled as endurance competitors as well. 

Chapelin calls endurance training a pursuit of excellence, saying, “Proving to myself that I’m able to evolve, to become better, even very little, on a day-to-day basis is what keeps the fire going."

She adds: "Really, it’s the idea of getting better and reaching my full potential.” 

Noah Ramby completed Ironman Texas in under 10 hours, putting him in the top tier of amateur competitors.

Ramby calls it “a chance to work out and push myself” and to train and race “for those who can’t,” including a cousin with a rare genetic disorder for whom he raised $8,500 at a recent iron-man competition. 

Chapelin and Ramby, who don’t train together but stay in touch about their accounting and training pursuits, agree that endurance training has helped make them better students. 

Chapelin says “there’s something daunting and unsettling knowing you have a double-digit-mile-long run every Sunday for 18 weeks. Right when you finish that grueling run, another longer one is waiting to push you even further next week. Learning to embrace that discomfort and knowing giving up simply isn’t an option translated directly into my study habits.” 

Ramby says “the discipline of competing at a very high level and doing challenging races can always be applied to other facets of life ... whether you're trying to do your best in class, building a relationship with someone, or being the best version of yourself.”