In My Own Words: Molly Kearns

As we move forward through this current period of uncertainty, Wright State Athletics has continued to live our P.S.A. model and transform the lives of our student-athletes: First, as People; Second, as Students; and Third, as Athletes. With those principles in mind, we have opened the floor to our student-athletes, and our Raiders have opened up and written first-hand accounts of how their daily lives have changed in this new series "In My Own Words."

Our final letter is from Molly Kearns, a senior on the women's cross country and track & field teams and a 2019-20 team representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

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As I sit here preparing to move out of my college apartment in a few days, it's hard not to reflect back on how differently I had imagined the end of my senior year.

I had so many goals left to accomplish in my final outdoor track season that will never come to fruition. I had hopes that by this time in the season I would have broken 17:00 in the 5k and broken 10:30 in the steeplechase. I would be gearing up for my final Horizon League Championship, hoping to cross the finish line as the HL Champion in the steeplechase and finally qualifying for NCAA Regionals.

Despite not accomplishing these final goals, I still look back on my four years at Wright State, competing for the Raiders, as one of the best experiences of my life. The journey has included over 10,000 miles filled with so many memories. Some were solo miles, but most were endured alongside my teammates. Yes, some of those miles were painful and frustrating but all were filled with determination and love for this crazy sport.

At this point, it seems most are used to this 'new normal' we have been faced with. I have worked hard to focus on what I can control and try to not to stress about what I can't. As someone who plans every second of their day and has always had future plans laid out, it has been hard to let go of knowing what is in store over the next couple months. No longer is there more track to be run through May or Europe to travel in June. I just hold on to the hope that there will be a job to start come July and that a bit more normalcy works its way back into our lives.

It has been an honor to be a Russia Raider from kindergarten through high school and to continue on as a Raider through college at Wright State. Although my final memories in college were not what I imagined they would be, there were still moments of joy and moments of heartbreak as there would have been if things had gone as originally planned.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey. To my parents, who have driven thousands of miles and spent hundreds of hours cheering me on and watching me compete, I would not be the runner I am today without your never-ending support and encouragement to pursue college athletics. And thank you to my siblings, friends, all my teammates, coaches, and the Athletic Department Staff for supporting me along the way. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Despite the ending not being as perfect as I had hoped, I have enjoyed this perfectly imperfect journey of college and am excited for what the next journey in my life will hold.

Go Raiders!

Sincerely,
Molly Kearns

Players Mentioned

Molly Kearns

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