Senior Spotlight: Women's Track and Field (PART ONE)
4/27/2020 12:15:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Over the coming weeks, Lehighsports.com is paying tribute to all of our senior student-athletes who did not have a Senior Day. Hear from the women's track and field seniors in the below question and answer, and head coach Matt Utesch in the above video. Wednesday will feature part two of the women's track and field seniors.
Sophie Antonioli – Sprints/Middle Distance – Acton, Mass. – Behavioral Neuroscience
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
SA: My favorite Lehigh memory was when the indoor 4x800 including myself, Mary Casey, Jade Sessions, and Clare Severe broke the league, facility, and school records at the 2019 Patriot League Championship at Navy. I personally had not looked at any stats going into the race, so had no idea we were capable of that! It was the best surprise and a memory I will never forget.
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
SA: I hope to leave a legacy of hard work, dependability and trustworthiness. I know the younger Lehigh Track and Field members already live and compete with these values.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SA: I am so grateful for my senior teammates. They have molded my entire Lehigh experience beyond just time the time spent on the track. I would not be the person I am today without the people who supported and stood beside me throughout these 4 years.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
SA: I will miss my teammates the most! It is already hard not seeing my people each day, and I assume that will get harder as time goes on.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
SA: Lehigh Athletics has taught me about commitment, self-awareness, and the importance of standing up for what you believe. I entered the Lehigh Athletics community as an eager and ambitious teen and feel I am (physically, not emotionally) leaving it a confident, well-equipped adult.
What are your postgraduate plans?
SA: I am applying to medical school this coming June. During my gap year I am working as a Clinical Research Assistant on a Huntington's Disease Clinical Trial at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Hannah Bonaguidi – Distance – Frenchtown, N.J. – Chemical Engineering
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
HB: My favorite Lehigh Cross Country memory is when we swept Lafayette (went 1-7) at the dual meet and Coach Deb came into the locker room, threw glitter everywhere, and handed us a broom to sweep it up. My favorite track memory is when we won the DMR at indoor Patriots my sophomore year!
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
HB: I hope that from my experiences my team mates learned how to have fun and not be stressed during workouts and how to face adversity.
What have your coaches meant to you?
HB: My coaches have been there for me through thick and thin and never gave up hope on me. I am very grateful for them all.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field
HB: I will miss competing and having a team I love the most.
What are your postgraduate plans?
HB: No definitive plans yet but I plan on entering the work force.
Mary Casey – Sprints/Middle Distance – Hatfield, Pa. – Biology
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
MC: My favorite track memory was winning the 4x800 relay at the 2019 Indoor Patriot League Championship. It was an unreal experience because none of us expected it and I got to be one the podium with some of my best friends!
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
MC: I hope I am leaving a legacy of hard work and balance. I hope my event groups members can remember the times we grinded through workouts together and do that with the new classes coming in. I hope to leave a legacy of knowing how to balance track with school and soccer.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MC: We have a very big senior class but everyone is so supportive of each other! Some of these seniors are my best friends that I have made so many unforgettable memories with on and off the track. I don't think I could have survived my four years without them being by my side.
What have your coaches meant to you?
MC: My coaches were a very crucial part of my whole experience. I could always count on them for a good laugh or the honest truth when I needed to hear it. The whole coaching staff cares so much about LUTF and would do anything for us. They have taught me to be confident and trust in my training when it comes to races. Specially, Coach Deb has become almost like a second mom to the distance ladies and I. She understands how difficult running can be at D1 level and is always there for us. I am very appreciative of all the time she spent writing workouts, having meetings, planning travel to meets, and being our biggest fan.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
MC: I am going to miss all the amazing friends I have met. Not being able to have these girls around to workout with or run with is going to be very hard. I am going to miss the weekly emails of workouts and being competitive with my teammates. The relationships with teammates and coaches I have formed because of track are something I will have forever.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
MC: Being apart of the Lehigh student-athlete experience has helped me to grow into a more balanced, dedicated person. I learned to be more aware of how I present myself to others and how to prioritize my goals. Because of Lehigh Athletics, I have been able to learn time management to keep up with schools, track, soccer, and my friends and family.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MC: I am still waiting to hear back from some medical schools and then I will decide from there about what I am going to do!
Ashleigh Crawford – Mid-Distance/Steeple – Tully, N.Y. – Bioengineering
What's your favorite Lehigh XC/TF memory?
AC: Steeple at the Outdoor Track & Field Patriot League Championships was always a special race for me. Each year, we had two Lehigh girls' podium and a number of others score. Being able to see the work we put in pay off together was something I looked forward to every year. The moments after those races collectively are my favorite Lehigh XC/TF memories:
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
AC: I hope that we keep the sense of family that I have always felt here. Speaking on the steeple group, I have always felt that the best part of racing was doing it together and I am excited to see where Miranda, Nicole and Martina take it next year! I don't know about a personal legacy, but I am glad that I was able to be a part of Lehigh's steeple legacy.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AC: Lehigh XC/T&F gave me an incredible group of best friends from the moment I got here. The four years of college are a time for a lot of personal growth and we have been able to support each other through a lot of it. Whether it's studying together, living together or traveling together, I am very thankful to Lehigh and the XC/TF programs for the experiences and relationships it gave me.
What have your coaches meant to you?
AC: The coaches have always been there for me as mentors, as friends, and with reminders to enjoy the Lehigh experience. They are a big part of what makes balancing everything possible for us, and I am very thankful for everything they do.
What will you miss most about Lehigh XC/TF?
AC: I am going to miss the people the most. I think this senior class has a unique perspective on this because we are already feeling it. While we understand and support the reasons for cancelling the spring season, there are a lot of emotions to process with that. The leading one for me is not being able to practice or compete with the Lehigh XC/TF team in the same way, especially the distance girls who I have spent almost every day of the last 3 years with. We have been finding ways to stay connected during this time through zoom meetings, phone calls, and group messages, but I know that seeing everyone every day is what I will miss most.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
AC: The Lehigh student-athlete experience has helped me grow in a lot of ways, but I feel the Flight 45 program has challenged me most. I don't think I ever expected to be challenged and grow in terms of leadership in the ways that the program allowed for, and the ability to practice those skills in the context of a 100+ person team is very special.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AC: I will be pursuing a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Diana Hammerstone – Mid-Distance – Easton, Pa. – Materials Science and Engineering
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
DH: My favorite memory is the Patriot League Cross Country meet my junior year (2018). We finished second as a team and had 3 freshmen in our top 5 which was super exciting! I will never forget it because it was the worst conditions that I've ever raced in. It was pouring rain the whole day and the water on Bucknell's golf course was up to our knees in some spots. It truly showed how gritty and adaptable our team was and it was one of our proudest team moments.
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
DH: I hope that I have been a good leader by example, and our hope our team's leadership group has showed the team how to work together to try and do what's best for everyone on the team.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
DH: I have been lucky to share the last 3 and a half years with a supportive, compassionate, and kind group of women. I have enjoyed watching them grow over the years and will miss seeing them on a daily basis. I am excited to see all the ways they succeed after Lehigh and am thankful to have made friends for life.
What have your coaches meant to you?
DH: My coaches have been a huge support system both on and off of the course/track. They have supported me athletically, academically, and mentally/emotionally. They have shown all of us that they truly care about every aspect of our lives. My coaches have become some of the most important people in my life.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
DH: I will miss seeing my teammates and coaches every single day and competing alongside them. There is something special about being competitive together and achieving our goals and successes as a team.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
DH: The student athlete experience has helped me grow into a better leader, competitor, and teammate. It taught me how to set goals and overcome obstacles.
What are your postgraduate plans?
DH: I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University. I plan to also pursue a doctorate in MSE either at Lehigh or another institution.
Lexi Harris – Distance – Wyckoff, N.J. – French and Francophone Studies – Graduating Early
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
LH: My favorite Lehigh XC/TF memory was the Paul Short Run XC race my sophomore year. It was awesome to participate in an event with so many talented runners on our home course!
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
LH: I hope to show people that even if your athletic career doesn't go as expected, there are always opportunities and other roles to fill on the team – being injured or unable to compete for a period of time doesn't mean you can't contribute to the team!
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LH: It's been awesome getting to know the fellow seniors over the past few years at Lehigh. They started off as teammates but have become good friends – I have learned so much from them and they have helped me to grow into the person I am today.
What have your coaches meant to you?
LH: My coaches have meant so much to me, especially Coach Deb. She has been so supportive and encouraging over the past few years and has changed my Lehigh experience for the better.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
LH: I'm going to miss all of my friends on the team and getting to see them on a daily basis.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
LH: I have been pushed out of my comfort and have realized that I am capable of adapting to many situations – none of this would have been possible without the support of my coaches and teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LH: I will be going to Wheaton College for grad school in the fall and doing their Outdoor and Adventure Leadership program, which will prepare me for a career in Christian camping, youth ministry, or missions!
Maura Henderson – Mid-Distance/Steeple – Narberth, Pa. – Elementary Education (BA in English)
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
MH: It's never changed from my freshman year. As a walk-on, all I wanted was to belong. We had an All-American on the team at the time, Biz. I got to be apart of her first race back, and it was the duel meet vs Lafeyette. We would switch on and off in the lead... until she dropped me. But it was the first time I felt like I was apart of something bigger than myself and it was the first time I'd ever worked to help my teammates find the best in themselves. Pretty darn cool.
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
MH: This is a really hard question, even for someone who has lived the majority of their life to try to be remembered. I hope I'm leaving a legacy about how important it is to care about your teammates and your league mates. I hope I'm leaving a legacy of kindness and strength because I think they are one in the same in a lot of ways. Kindness makes you vulnerable, so if you're willing to open yourself up to the wounds that this may create the person you become is stronger. I hope people are more willing to put themselves there.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MH: It's interesting, I didn't complete a full year until my sophomore year (I walked on indoors as a freshman) and I always told the current cross country seniors that they were my class. I feel like we've been through so much together, they're like family to me. We found out our seasons got canceled when we were on a trip together. We all sat in silence and it simply made sense. We were processing as one. I think that's really powerful. We're one heck of a unit. As a whole class, we've made big changes in the expectations for this team, the standard is a lot higher than when we came in and I think that's a testament to this class.
What have your coaches meant to you?
MH: Coach Brooke (she hates being called coach) was the first person I spoke to about walking onto the track and field team... I can't even remember how I got in contact with her but I asked her to grab a cup of coffee... How weird, a stranger on a different team just reaches out, "Hey, uh coffee?" But honestly, I don't think she even thought about it for a second. She was receptive to me right away and has been nothing but supportive since that first cup of coffee.
Coach Matt has been constantly challenging me to face my fears, but helping me get through them all at once. Whether it's having my teammates hold my hands so I can get better at steepling without fear of falling or simply making me realize that he's proud of me as a person more than a performance. He's sort of reminded me who I am, constantly, throughout my career and I could not be more thankful for him.
Coach Khayla is just a beast, plain and simple. She tells it how it is and challenges us to be better. Every. Single. Day. She's irreplaceable.
Coach Taylor is someone I don't know well but always makes time to ask how my race went, and checks in on all athletes. You can watch him process his athletes throws and see he's truly analyzing. He wants and asks more of his athletes.
Coach Etters, who's office I've spent an unreasonable amount of time discussing the men's team training and his basis for deciding on his approach; trying to learn from him. And the motivation he's given me has been unmatched to most people. Coach Etters is why I ended my season on a high, I'll never take that for granted. He never stopped believing my comeback could be higher than my highest success.
Last, but not least in any regard, Coach Deb. While she'd never admit it, she's been on of my guiding lights at Lehigh. She's been through so much in the past few years, none of it she deserves. But she does it and still manages to wear a brave face. Still manages to focus on us. She's everything a human should hope to be, the sweetest woman I know. I always look up to her as to what I want to be when I grow up and hopefully when I become a coach. She was the best part of my Lehigh experience. Period. Not athletic, not social, the entire experience.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
MH: I'll miss being apart of something bigger than myself. Helping someone else achieve more. Encouraging my teammates to grow and keep trying. I'll miss my people more than anything in the world.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
MH: Ironically, I learned how to lose in my time at Lehigh. I was played on an incredibly accomplished lacrosse team in high school, and I ended my senior track season on a high. I thought winning was the norm. I thought not winning was simply failing. Really, you learn so much from not winning and become so strong from those times. You don't become a strong person if all you see is victory, you become a strong person if you lose and never stop stepping up to the line and trying again.
MH: What are your postgraduate plans?
I want to be an elementary school teacher. I also want to coach, to be determined whether it will be on the collegiate or high school level. All in all, I would not count me out of this world of athletics.
Sophie Antonioli – Sprints/Middle Distance – Acton, Mass. – Behavioral Neuroscience
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
SA: My favorite Lehigh memory was when the indoor 4x800 including myself, Mary Casey, Jade Sessions, and Clare Severe broke the league, facility, and school records at the 2019 Patriot League Championship at Navy. I personally had not looked at any stats going into the race, so had no idea we were capable of that! It was the best surprise and a memory I will never forget.
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?SA: I hope to leave a legacy of hard work, dependability and trustworthiness. I know the younger Lehigh Track and Field members already live and compete with these values.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
SA: I am so grateful for my senior teammates. They have molded my entire Lehigh experience beyond just time the time spent on the track. I would not be the person I am today without the people who supported and stood beside me throughout these 4 years.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
SA: I will miss my teammates the most! It is already hard not seeing my people each day, and I assume that will get harder as time goes on.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
SA: Lehigh Athletics has taught me about commitment, self-awareness, and the importance of standing up for what you believe. I entered the Lehigh Athletics community as an eager and ambitious teen and feel I am (physically, not emotionally) leaving it a confident, well-equipped adult.
What are your postgraduate plans?
SA: I am applying to medical school this coming June. During my gap year I am working as a Clinical Research Assistant on a Huntington's Disease Clinical Trial at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Hannah Bonaguidi – Distance – Frenchtown, N.J. – Chemical Engineering
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
HB: My favorite Lehigh Cross Country memory is when we swept Lafayette (went 1-7) at the dual meet and Coach Deb came into the locker room, threw glitter everywhere, and handed us a broom to sweep it up. My favorite track memory is when we won the DMR at indoor Patriots my sophomore year!
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
HB: I hope that from my experiences my team mates learned how to have fun and not be stressed during workouts and how to face adversity.
What have your coaches meant to you?
HB: My coaches have been there for me through thick and thin and never gave up hope on me. I am very grateful for them all.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field
HB: I will miss competing and having a team I love the most.
What are your postgraduate plans?
HB: No definitive plans yet but I plan on entering the work force.
Mary Casey – Sprints/Middle Distance – Hatfield, Pa. – Biology
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
MC: My favorite track memory was winning the 4x800 relay at the 2019 Indoor Patriot League Championship. It was an unreal experience because none of us expected it and I got to be one the podium with some of my best friends!
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
MC: I hope I am leaving a legacy of hard work and balance. I hope my event groups members can remember the times we grinded through workouts together and do that with the new classes coming in. I hope to leave a legacy of knowing how to balance track with school and soccer.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MC: We have a very big senior class but everyone is so supportive of each other! Some of these seniors are my best friends that I have made so many unforgettable memories with on and off the track. I don't think I could have survived my four years without them being by my side.
What have your coaches meant to you?
MC: My coaches were a very crucial part of my whole experience. I could always count on them for a good laugh or the honest truth when I needed to hear it. The whole coaching staff cares so much about LUTF and would do anything for us. They have taught me to be confident and trust in my training when it comes to races. Specially, Coach Deb has become almost like a second mom to the distance ladies and I. She understands how difficult running can be at D1 level and is always there for us. I am very appreciative of all the time she spent writing workouts, having meetings, planning travel to meets, and being our biggest fan.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
MC: I am going to miss all the amazing friends I have met. Not being able to have these girls around to workout with or run with is going to be very hard. I am going to miss the weekly emails of workouts and being competitive with my teammates. The relationships with teammates and coaches I have formed because of track are something I will have forever.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
MC: Being apart of the Lehigh student-athlete experience has helped me to grow into a more balanced, dedicated person. I learned to be more aware of how I present myself to others and how to prioritize my goals. Because of Lehigh Athletics, I have been able to learn time management to keep up with schools, track, soccer, and my friends and family.
What are your postgraduate plans?
MC: I am still waiting to hear back from some medical schools and then I will decide from there about what I am going to do!
Ashleigh Crawford – Mid-Distance/Steeple – Tully, N.Y. – Bioengineering
What's your favorite Lehigh XC/TF memory?
AC: Steeple at the Outdoor Track & Field Patriot League Championships was always a special race for me. Each year, we had two Lehigh girls' podium and a number of others score. Being able to see the work we put in pay off together was something I looked forward to every year. The moments after those races collectively are my favorite Lehigh XC/TF memories:
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
AC: I hope that we keep the sense of family that I have always felt here. Speaking on the steeple group, I have always felt that the best part of racing was doing it together and I am excited to see where Miranda, Nicole and Martina take it next year! I don't know about a personal legacy, but I am glad that I was able to be a part of Lehigh's steeple legacy.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
AC: Lehigh XC/T&F gave me an incredible group of best friends from the moment I got here. The four years of college are a time for a lot of personal growth and we have been able to support each other through a lot of it. Whether it's studying together, living together or traveling together, I am very thankful to Lehigh and the XC/TF programs for the experiences and relationships it gave me.
What have your coaches meant to you?
AC: The coaches have always been there for me as mentors, as friends, and with reminders to enjoy the Lehigh experience. They are a big part of what makes balancing everything possible for us, and I am very thankful for everything they do.
What will you miss most about Lehigh XC/TF?
AC: I am going to miss the people the most. I think this senior class has a unique perspective on this because we are already feeling it. While we understand and support the reasons for cancelling the spring season, there are a lot of emotions to process with that. The leading one for me is not being able to practice or compete with the Lehigh XC/TF team in the same way, especially the distance girls who I have spent almost every day of the last 3 years with. We have been finding ways to stay connected during this time through zoom meetings, phone calls, and group messages, but I know that seeing everyone every day is what I will miss most.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
AC: The Lehigh student-athlete experience has helped me grow in a lot of ways, but I feel the Flight 45 program has challenged me most. I don't think I ever expected to be challenged and grow in terms of leadership in the ways that the program allowed for, and the ability to practice those skills in the context of a 100+ person team is very special.
What are your postgraduate plans?
AC: I will be pursuing a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Diana Hammerstone – Mid-Distance – Easton, Pa. – Materials Science and Engineering
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
DH: My favorite memory is the Patriot League Cross Country meet my junior year (2018). We finished second as a team and had 3 freshmen in our top 5 which was super exciting! I will never forget it because it was the worst conditions that I've ever raced in. It was pouring rain the whole day and the water on Bucknell's golf course was up to our knees in some spots. It truly showed how gritty and adaptable our team was and it was one of our proudest team moments.
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
DH: I hope that I have been a good leader by example, and our hope our team's leadership group has showed the team how to work together to try and do what's best for everyone on the team.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
DH: I have been lucky to share the last 3 and a half years with a supportive, compassionate, and kind group of women. I have enjoyed watching them grow over the years and will miss seeing them on a daily basis. I am excited to see all the ways they succeed after Lehigh and am thankful to have made friends for life.
What have your coaches meant to you?
DH: My coaches have been a huge support system both on and off of the course/track. They have supported me athletically, academically, and mentally/emotionally. They have shown all of us that they truly care about every aspect of our lives. My coaches have become some of the most important people in my life.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
DH: I will miss seeing my teammates and coaches every single day and competing alongside them. There is something special about being competitive together and achieving our goals and successes as a team.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
DH: The student athlete experience has helped me grow into a better leader, competitor, and teammate. It taught me how to set goals and overcome obstacles.
What are your postgraduate plans?
DH: I plan to pursue a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University. I plan to also pursue a doctorate in MSE either at Lehigh or another institution.
Lexi Harris – Distance – Wyckoff, N.J. – French and Francophone Studies – Graduating Early
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
LH: My favorite Lehigh XC/TF memory was the Paul Short Run XC race my sophomore year. It was awesome to participate in an event with so many talented runners on our home course!
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
LH: I hope to show people that even if your athletic career doesn't go as expected, there are always opportunities and other roles to fill on the team – being injured or unable to compete for a period of time doesn't mean you can't contribute to the team!
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
LH: It's been awesome getting to know the fellow seniors over the past few years at Lehigh. They started off as teammates but have become good friends – I have learned so much from them and they have helped me to grow into the person I am today.
What have your coaches meant to you?
LH: My coaches have meant so much to me, especially Coach Deb. She has been so supportive and encouraging over the past few years and has changed my Lehigh experience for the better.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
LH: I'm going to miss all of my friends on the team and getting to see them on a daily basis.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
LH: I have been pushed out of my comfort and have realized that I am capable of adapting to many situations – none of this would have been possible without the support of my coaches and teammates.
What are your postgraduate plans?
LH: I will be going to Wheaton College for grad school in the fall and doing their Outdoor and Adventure Leadership program, which will prepare me for a career in Christian camping, youth ministry, or missions!
Maura Henderson – Mid-Distance/Steeple – Narberth, Pa. – Elementary Education (BA in English)
What's your favorite Lehigh Track and Field memory?
MH: It's never changed from my freshman year. As a walk-on, all I wanted was to belong. We had an All-American on the team at the time, Biz. I got to be apart of her first race back, and it was the duel meet vs Lafeyette. We would switch on and off in the lead... until she dropped me. But it was the first time I felt like I was apart of something bigger than myself and it was the first time I'd ever worked to help my teammates find the best in themselves. Pretty darn cool.
What legacy do you hope you're leaving?
MH: This is a really hard question, even for someone who has lived the majority of their life to try to be remembered. I hope I'm leaving a legacy about how important it is to care about your teammates and your league mates. I hope I'm leaving a legacy of kindness and strength because I think they are one in the same in a lot of ways. Kindness makes you vulnerable, so if you're willing to open yourself up to the wounds that this may create the person you become is stronger. I hope people are more willing to put themselves there.
Describe the relationship with your fellow seniors.
MH: It's interesting, I didn't complete a full year until my sophomore year (I walked on indoors as a freshman) and I always told the current cross country seniors that they were my class. I feel like we've been through so much together, they're like family to me. We found out our seasons got canceled when we were on a trip together. We all sat in silence and it simply made sense. We were processing as one. I think that's really powerful. We're one heck of a unit. As a whole class, we've made big changes in the expectations for this team, the standard is a lot higher than when we came in and I think that's a testament to this class.
What have your coaches meant to you?
MH: Coach Brooke (she hates being called coach) was the first person I spoke to about walking onto the track and field team... I can't even remember how I got in contact with her but I asked her to grab a cup of coffee... How weird, a stranger on a different team just reaches out, "Hey, uh coffee?" But honestly, I don't think she even thought about it for a second. She was receptive to me right away and has been nothing but supportive since that first cup of coffee.
Coach Matt has been constantly challenging me to face my fears, but helping me get through them all at once. Whether it's having my teammates hold my hands so I can get better at steepling without fear of falling or simply making me realize that he's proud of me as a person more than a performance. He's sort of reminded me who I am, constantly, throughout my career and I could not be more thankful for him.
Coach Khayla is just a beast, plain and simple. She tells it how it is and challenges us to be better. Every. Single. Day. She's irreplaceable.
Coach Taylor is someone I don't know well but always makes time to ask how my race went, and checks in on all athletes. You can watch him process his athletes throws and see he's truly analyzing. He wants and asks more of his athletes.
Coach Etters, who's office I've spent an unreasonable amount of time discussing the men's team training and his basis for deciding on his approach; trying to learn from him. And the motivation he's given me has been unmatched to most people. Coach Etters is why I ended my season on a high, I'll never take that for granted. He never stopped believing my comeback could be higher than my highest success.
Last, but not least in any regard, Coach Deb. While she'd never admit it, she's been on of my guiding lights at Lehigh. She's been through so much in the past few years, none of it she deserves. But she does it and still manages to wear a brave face. Still manages to focus on us. She's everything a human should hope to be, the sweetest woman I know. I always look up to her as to what I want to be when I grow up and hopefully when I become a coach. She was the best part of my Lehigh experience. Period. Not athletic, not social, the entire experience.
What will you miss most about Lehigh Track and Field?
MH: I'll miss being apart of something bigger than myself. Helping someone else achieve more. Encouraging my teammates to grow and keep trying. I'll miss my people more than anything in the world.
Thinking about where you were three years ago to now, how has the Lehigh
student-athlete experience helped you grow as a person?
MH: Ironically, I learned how to lose in my time at Lehigh. I was played on an incredibly accomplished lacrosse team in high school, and I ended my senior track season on a high. I thought winning was the norm. I thought not winning was simply failing. Really, you learn so much from not winning and become so strong from those times. You don't become a strong person if all you see is victory, you become a strong person if you lose and never stop stepping up to the line and trying again.
MH: What are your postgraduate plans?
I want to be an elementary school teacher. I also want to coach, to be determined whether it will be on the collegiate or high school level. All in all, I would not count me out of this world of athletics.
Players Mentioned
Sprints/Middle Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints/Middle Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance/Steeple
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance/Steeple
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field2025 Lehigh Athletics Holiday Video
Thursday, December 18
Lehigh Sports Central: Women's Wrestling
Thursday, December 11
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Tuesday, December 02
MHT EP6 - Football
Thursday, November 20
