Just a few years ago, if you had told me I would go to Kent State and compete as a cross country runner, I wouldn't have believed you. 

I was on track, no pun intended, to pursue a different path.

But that's what's incredible about life — it comes with many unexpected twists and turns.

Some good.

Some bad. 

Today, I want to share a bit of both. 

Born to run?

Growing up, I always wanted to play basketball.

I practiced a lot and took my body through some grueling workouts, but when I didn't make the high school team, I took it as a sign and decided to close that chapter before it ever really began.

It hurt a bit, not going to lie, but I tried not to give it too much thought. After all, plenty of other sports to choose from, right?

So, next, I set my eyes on being a sprinter. Unfortunately, I didn't have the burst of speed needed.

So, shortly after, I was once again in discovery mode, exploring my options and looking at other sports.

Fortunately, my high school coaches gave me some good advice and encouraged me to give cross country a shot. 

And the rest is history.

Finding the right sport for me was a long and difficult process — getting good at it was a completely different obstacle. 

You see, running recreationally or by yourself is one thing. But what makes cross country so unique is that it has a huge team aspect to it. And honestly, it's one of the things I love so much about it. I'd argue that most people would agree that running is particularly taxing from a mental point of view. Forcing yourself to get up early and run 10 miles isn't for everyone, right?

But when you compete for and with a team, it changes your whole perspective. Those 10 miles now become 10 miles for your team. And that's what's so special about this sport. 

And, honestly, also what completely captivated me from the get-go.

Why Kent State

Whenever you tell people where you're going to school, they always want to know why. For me, the answer is simple. 

This was the best place for me to excel athletically and academically. Sounds very standard, I know, but allow me to elaborate a bit.

Athletically, I was looking for a family-like atmosphere. Teammates and coaches that genuinely want to see you succeed. Here, at Kent State, I absolutely love our tight-knit connection. 

We are big enough to have ambitious goals, yet small enough that we all feel valued. Everyone here is wanted, and I think that matters more than anything else.

Being here, you feel like you can have your cake and eat it, too. You get big-school benefits in terms of opportunities and resources, but you also have that small school vibe.

It's like a 'Goldilock' school.

Not too big, not too small.

It's just right. 

And academically, Kent State offered exactly what I was looking for. From an early age on, I knew I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps and become a pilot one day.

So, finding a school with an aeronautics program was a non-negotiable for me. 

And Kent State is one of those schools.

Today, I couldn't be happier about my decision to come here to Kent State and pursue both my academic and athletic dreams. Not every athlete can say that, right?

I'm just beyond grateful. 

Early days

Last year, I was the new kid on the block. 

Coming in as a freshman, you have an idea of how college will be, but you don't really know, right? Overall, I had a great year, even winning Conference Freshman of the Year and just furthering my craft. 

Now, I'm not exactly a veteran, but I have some experience, and I can't wait to share what I've learned with the upcoming class of students. I'll do whatever I can to be a welcoming face for whatever newcomers need it. 

I'm not sure how the next few years will go, but I think I've proven to myself I can roll with the punches. My journey so far hasn't gone exactly as planned but look where it's taken me. 

I'm happy and part of a great program here at Kent State. Sometimes, it feels like you're not where you want to be in life. 

You start looking back, and you regret this and that and start second-guessing decisions that were made years ago, but I think if you keep working hard and are honest about what you want in life, life gives it to you. 

In the end, it usually works out, and just like a cross-country race, it's all about staying focused, pacing yourself correctly, and taking it step by step.