When I chose to attend Oberlin College, I wasn’t just picking a place to run, I was choosing the kind of student-athlete experience I wanted and the kind of person I wanted to become over the next four years.
As a sprinter and hurdler competing in the 60m, 110m hurdles, and 400m hurdles, I’ve always taken pride in competing at a high level across multiple events. I knew I still wanted that same level of intensity and competition in college. But at the same time, I didn’t want to put myself in an environment where everything about me was defined only by my sport. I wanted space to grow, to think, and to develop in ways that went beyond just performance on the track.
That’s what drew me to Division III. It’s competitive in a real and meaningful way, but it also emphasizes balance and personal development. I wasn’t looking for a system where my entire identity would revolve around athletics. I wanted to be somewhere that would push me in every area, physically, mentally, and personally, while still allowing me to fully engage with life outside of competition.
A big part of my decision also came down to mindset. I’ve always believed that it doesn’t matter where you are, it matters what you do with what you’re given. For me, choosing Division III wasn’t about limitations or lowering expectations. It was about putting myself in a position where I could take ownership of my growth and prove that I could reach a high level no matter the setting.
Since getting to Oberlin, that belief has only gotten stronger. I’ve been doing exactly what I set out to do. I’ve been getting stronger, faster, and more disciplined, but also more focused, more aware, and more mature. I’ve learned how to manage my time, how to stay consistent, and how to keep improving even when things aren’t easy. That kind of growth doesn’t just happen on the track, it carries into every part of my life.
Being able to compete internationally while representing a Division III program has been a powerful reflection of that mindset. It shows that your environment doesn’t define your ceiling. What matters is how you approach your opportunities, how you push yourself, and how much you’re willing to grow. I’ve been able to train and compete at a high level during this season of my life while still developing as a person in a complete way.
At the end of the day, I chose Oberlin and Division III because it gave me the chance to become more than just an athlete. It gave me the opportunity to build myself fully, physically, mentally, and personally, and to prove that where you start doesn’t limit where you can go.
