PITTSBURGH — Danica Snyder is having a pretty good senior year at Duquesne University.

She'd like to make it a great one.

The Butler graduate ran cross country for the Dukes during the fall and helped the team win the Atlantic 10 championship. She then set personal records in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs during the winter indoor track season.

Snyder broke the school record in the outdoor 3,000 meters last weekend at Bucknell, running the event in nine minutes, 55.89 seconds.

“That's the only school record I own. But I'd like to get another one,” she said.

Snyder has her eyes on the Duquesne steeplechase record of 10:19. Her best time in that event is 10:28 and she will be running it May 2 at the Atlantic 10 Championships in Fairfax, Va.

Her closest competition for an Atlantic 10 title in that event will be her own teammate, sophomore Valerie Palermo.

“They are ranked 1-2 in the steeplechase in the conference and the third-best runner is like 20 seconds behind them,” Duquesne women's track coach Jim Lear said. “Those two have been pushing each other all year.”

Palermo told Snyder that the steeplechase event will probably be “boring” at the Atlantic 10 meet.

“Once she said that, I asked her if she wanted to be an Atlantic 10 champion, because I want to be an Atlantic 10 champion ... I think that race will be anything but boring,” Snyder said.

“Valerie has been my workout partner. I've loved having her here, competing with her. We're constantly working to beat each other and that's a good thing.”

The steeplechase will be run May 2, during the first day of the meet. The 5,000 meters — Snyder's other event — will be held Sunday.

Oddly, Snyder has not competed in a 5,000-meter race all spring.

“A lot of places don't run it anymore in their meets,” Lear said. “We've only had three meets so far. Two have run the steeplechase, the other the 3,000 where Danica broke our record.

“She's been running the miles. She's been training for it. I have no doubt she'll be ready.”

Snyder is the three-time defending women's 5-mile champion at the Butler Road Race. She runs approximately 60 miles a week between practice and her own personal training.

“Danica is one of those athletes a coach never has to worry about,” Lear said. “I don't even see her in practice sometimes. You just know she'll be good to go.”

A nursing major, Snyder will graduate in May. She has already qualified for the NCAA regionals in Jacksonville,. Fla., at the end of May.

“When the season is over, I'll take a little time off from running, but I won't be done with it. No way,” she said.

“It's been too big a part of my life for too long.”

Once she graduates, Snyder hopes to land a nursing job at one of the Pittsburgh area hospitals. She hopes to get into coaching as well, either at the high school or collegiate level.

One area high school has already approached her about a possible coaching opportunity.

“I'd love it,” she said. “It'd be great to give something back to a sport that's given me so much.”

Snyder hopes it gives her a little more.

“Maybe I can win a little money at some of these summer road races and 5K events,” she said. “I've never been able to accept the cash prizes before.

“I may take a run at the Pittsburgh Marathon next year. I'll find ways to push myself. I'm sure of that.”