Cedarville University Yellow Jackets

May 2, 2018

What a weekend! As we taper our training, many athletes are enjoying some stunning performances. It is incredible to watch my teammates excel at what we have practiced for so long. I am so proud of each one of the ladies with whom I train. Together we inspire each other to pursue excellence. Amidst disappointments, we keep pushing towards the goal. At meets like last weekend, it is a joy to watch many of these ladies perform the best they ever have. These victories are hard-earned. Each one understands that only through dedication, perseverance, and grit, victories may be possible. When success is part of the outcome, joy is very sweet.

This was my last meet with many of my teammates, as Cedarville's commencement ceremony lies just a few days away. It's hard to remember specific moments or events on the team. It all blends together as one of the most formative and growing experiences of my life. I take away beautiful memories through some of the most stretching times. It's hard to think about leaving the team after these years. After investing so much into this group, I contemplate passing the torch to next year's leaders. I find a new commitment to pray for these ladies, who will continue to impact people for Christ's kingdom. Closing this chapter, I know that God will continue to shape and form people through this track & field program, just as He worked so immensely through my life.

Gratefully, we will always continue running for Him!

Christy

April 18, 2018

What a week! Sideways rain, a puddled track, changing conditions...All the ladies who competed this past week truly stepped up to the plate. Little do some people realize that, despite the fact we love the sport, racing in poor weather can be discouraging.

At this point in the season, we are looking for improvement in our performances. Confrontation with less-than-ideal conditions can dishearten, threatening the confidence we have built in our training. And yet, many still rise above the odds. Some girls performed so well last weekend, they set personal records (PR's). It is phenomenal to think that even in the tough weather, some ladies competed the best they ever have!

On a completely different note, one often comical aspect of collegiate athletics is fast turn-arounds. Our schedules, especially at the end of the year, become quite busy on the weekends. School events and extra activities seem to fill the calendar. Thus, I (and many teammates) have experienced many days where we have to shower in record speed, finish hair and makeup with creativity, and get to the destination on time! This weekend, several ladies (myself included) attended an end-of-school banquet. We got ready in the women's restrooms and drove straight to the event! And we arrived right on time!

As I look towards the end of the season, memories like these (bad weather and quick turnarounds), are what I hold dear. The friendships and growth we all experience together create the true value of running on this college team.

Running for Him,

Christy


April 4, 2018

This past weekend we enjoyed our first outdoor home meet of the season. It seems like every year at this time, we experience gusty winds and some sideways rain! I’m always surprised about the weather, as I’m from southern California where the weather is very predictable; typically hot and dry. Wilder conditions always make competitions a growing experience, as athletes develop the flexibility to adapt.

No matter the circumstances, it’s a good point in the season to be evaluating our weaknesses in competition. We are honing into those areas that are challenging. "Can my throws get a little better?" "Can my kick be more effective?" "How will my race strategy change to meet this competition?" These are questions we are asking ourselves. The basic work is already done, so now is the time we are refining the pieces of the puzzle to make up the complete athlete.

Back to weather though...difficult weather seems to strengthen the team dynamic. There is perhaps nothing more encouraging than to see rows of cheering teammates screaming for those in the race. Amid the wind and weather, we unite to bring the best out of our teammates. Some even had personal-record performances, an exciting feat.

We also enjoyed celebrating Easter this last weekend. Occasionally, we do have competitions over the weekend, like this last week. However, we do take Resurrection Sunday to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. It is refreshing and important to take time away from the rigor of the semester to reconsider the depth and meaning of the Gospel.

Gratefully running for Him,

Christy


March 28, 2018

What a trip! We traveled about 10 hours south of Cedarville to attend a meet in the South! Sunny skies, warmer temperatures, and great performances filled the weekend.

Leaving in the evening last Wednesday, the team traveled overnight on the CU Athletic buses. At some point through the evening, we all end up packing in like sardines. Some form of comfort has to be attained, whether stretching out on chairs or squeezing between bags on the floor, everyone hopefully finds a comfortable enough spot to catch a little sleep. Fortunately any sleep lost was soon recovered the next few nights in our hotel.

Sometimes at higher-stakes, out-of-town meets like this one are transformational for athletes. As a senior, one of my favorite things to observe in my teammates is a turning point race, especially for underclassmen. Oftentimes, running and competing do not follow a linear upward trend. Rather, peaks and valleys in the body’s ability to perform give way to a "two steps forward, one step back" result. Often encouraging, meets like the one our team attended last weekend can inspire younger athletes. I saw some of them win their heats or set personal records. These are moments to be savored and remembered, knowing that progress is hard-earned. Sometimes, this is all the boost an athlete needs to keep training and competing diligently for the remainder of the season.

It is a joy to celebrate those athletic victories with my team. No matter how a performance affects an athlete, at this point in the semester, we’re staying focused on the later end of the season.

Focused on running for Him,

Christy


February 28, 2018

Hello Readers!

This past week we enjoyed some great competition as we traveled out of state for a two-day G-MAC Championship Meet. When I entered Cedarville as a freshman, I had no idea what to expect when it came to conference championships. Because it's later in the season, the scoring for the meet is significant. This allows the coaches the freedom to place us in specific events in order to score the most points possible. Typically, the top eight finishers in an event receive points. Often, coaches will stack races for athletes, asking them to perform in multiple events of expertise in order to rack up the most points. Another strategy is to ask athletes to compete only in their best event, so that competing and racing at the highest level is guaranteed, thus obtaining a high score. There was a mix of these strategies among the ladies team at Cedarville, which allowed for a diverse array of performances from the CU Lady Jackets! Some women last weekend even set personal records in their specific events, which is always an exciting moment to witness.

Being a senior on this team, I realized this last weekend marked my last indoor race as a collegiate runner. It is bittersweet to look back on all the memories, workouts, races, trials, and victories that indoor track & field has impressed on me. I am reminded of how I take part in something so much greater. Each day after our meeting, we pray about the day and the impact God can make in our lives using running. At the last meet of indoor track for many this season, it's amazing to remember that as this small chapter closes, God's story for my life continues. This avenue may have ended, but He's going to open more doors of opportunity to keep using my gifts and talents for the kingdom.

This is really what the track & field program is about here. If there is one message I will take with me after graduation, it is this: Take your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities, and share them with others in order to make a positive impact on the lives of others, for the glory of God.

Running after Him,

Christy


February 19, 2018

What a weekend!! The Cedarville women’s track team won the National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship meet, hosted here at CU last weekend. It was an immense joy to watch as each athlete pulled together to score points, rounding out a final victory. Working toward this goal together inspires great performances, and every competitor on our team worked hard to accomplish new heights of performance.

As a team member, one of my favorite jobs outside of competing is taking splits for my teammates in their races. This encompasses shouting out the time for each lap to the specific teammate as they run by. This week, I called for Alaina Spears, who broke the Cedarville indoor record for the women’s 5K! Every time she ran by, I’d call out her time for that lap. My excitement grew, until I was almost bursting. Her pace would not only be a personal record, but potentially break the school record! "Would she be able to do it," I wondered? As this news spread through those cheering, the energy in Alaina’s race became palpable. On the sidelines, I screamed at Alaina! "You’re on pace, Alaina, for the school record! Let’s GOOOOOO!"

Not only was Alaina’s performance memorable, but many other ladies set their personal bests this weekend as well. This joy, in watching my teammates perform, is so very special. We work so hard for these moments of victory. We labor together in practice, striving to reach higher toward something we haven’t accomplished. It is sweet to savor these achievements.

I am grateful to have such an amazing running family. These ladies work tirelessly, pouring not only into the sport, but also into each others’ lives.

Running for Him,

Christy


February 13, 2018

Grand Valley. Every year, it’s a weekend nothing short of incredible.

Of all the indoor meets we attend annually, Grand Valley is probably my favorite. There’s something so inspiring about racing at an amazing facility and competing against a loaded field. The track is so blue, and when you step on that line, you know it’s time to kick into gear. The officials line you up, checking you in one by one. Their uniforms are perfect, qualifying the seriousness of the event. The gun goes off, and everything settles down after a lap or two. Since we’re all there at the meet, it’s so fun to cheer for everyone during each race. It’s a special weekend where the team really starts to come together for one another.

This competition is enjoyable for multiple reasons. We stay overnight at a church of a Cedarville alumnus, and they are so hospitable! For multiple years in a row, they gather mattresses for the entire team to sleep on, as well as make us all breakfast the morning of the race! (We’re talking enough food for 100+ hungry athletes!) It is so special to be hosted by such kind people, who make that part of the trip so memorable.

Coming home on the bus after the meet ends, everyone is usually pretty tired. It’s a long drive, and amid sleeping, we’re usually thinking over our performance. Yes, sometimes things pull together exactly the way they should. Other times, not everything works out, which is pretty disappointing. You can’t always control those things.

But as Coach Bo always says, "We control what we can control, and do our best with the rest."

Running after Him,

Christy


February 7, 2018

This past weekend proved both exciting and exhausting for the CU track team! On Friday, Cedarville hosted the annual indoor home meet, called the Cedarville Collegiate Invitational. This is always a great chance for everyone to enjoy racing on our own territory. A few highlights are below: * First time hosting a meet on the resurfaced indoor track! Let me tell you..it feels amazing. It was awesome to get out and race in what felt like an entirely new facility. And yet we’re blessed to call it our own!

  * Such a fun opportunity for the Cedarville family to support the track team! We travel so much, that fans usually can’t come support us unless we’re on campus. The folks who were able to come out and cheer were so great!
 
* Another great opportunity to see everyone working together to meet our goals. I watched as ladies called out splits for each other, some people who weren’t racing were helping facilitate other parts of the meet, and many others simply serving. I’m so grateful for the people on this team.

Speaking of serving...the next day, we hosted an invitational for high schoolers, the Richey Indoor Tune-Up! This annual event is of no small proportions. The CU track team helps to facilitate this mass event, where hundreds of high schoolers can come race, as well as experience Cedarville. We had everything from Cedarville girls hosting recruits to team members at the meet check-in...even people facilitating their specialty events for the high school meet. It’s quite a day! Though tiring, it’s memorable to work together towards positively impacting young people as they set foot on our campus.

We’re grateful for these experiences, and look forward to more to come through this season!

Running strong for Him,

Christy


January 30, 2018
 

This week we have our first athlete spotlight! Let me introduce Gabby Johnson! She is a junior nursing major and a distance runner at Cedarville University. All the way from Maine, Gabby found her love of running early on. Here are a few questions she’s answered about herself. How did you get into running?
I come from a big family and most of my older siblings ran cross country and track. I thought it looked awful but a friend convinced me to try running in 7th grade and I fell in love with it.

This story is pretty common around here! Many of us run because it was a family deal, and we even have many sibling groups who have come through the running program. What is your favorite thing about running for CU?
The team itself. Everybody on the team builds into each other’s lives, and encourage and push each other to excel in running and life.

The bond we have as athletes is truly phenomenal. We spend quite a bit of time with each other, which contributes to a capacity to build life-on-life relationships and grow together. Our team aspect is stronger because of it, which brings a dynamic aspect to our sport . Was it intimidating doing running and nursing? How do you manage that?
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into coming in freshman year. I have great role models on the team who did it before me and make me feel like it’s a doable commitment.

The ladies on the team are committed to academic excellence, and being a student-athlete is no easy task. Gabby is one of many students who juggle the ever-challenging workload of collegiate athletics and a tough major. What's your favorite distance to race?
5K and 10K. They are long enough that I feel in control of the pace and I have no sprinting skills.

Each race has its challenges, and while Gabby may not have sprinting skills as some runners do, she will never give up on a pace during a race. She’s got a lot of mental determination and focus to stay engaged in a race. The 6K can last 40 minutes! What do you like to do outside of running?
Hike or snowshoe.

As fun as training and competing is, all the ladies on the team have some things they do to relax and refresh. Sometimes we’ll get off campus together, typically to see a movie, getting some dinner, or a snack! Which brings me to my final question… Favorite food?
Chocolate cookie dough ice cream

And that’s all for this week! We enjoyed some great competition this past weekend, and look forward to hosting our own indoor competition this weekend, the Cedarville Collegiate Invitational on Friday and a high school meet, the Richey Indoor Tune-up, on Saturday.

Running for Him,

Christy


January 23, 2018

5:15 a.m. Some might think that was a mistake on Coach Bo’s itinerary, but it wasn’t. This was our departure time, so we could arrive at our track meet on time. By this point, however, this departure time isn’t too uncommon. We travel widely because our team is competitive, and some great meets are several hours away.

I’ve become familiar with the early morning drill through the years. I’ll set my things out the night before because (no doubt) something really important will get left behind if I pack in the morning. I make sure the coffee maker is ready to go, and anything I want for breakfast is packed. My GPS watch had better be charged, or else it won’t do me any good on the trip. I also always pack extra clothes because I always like warm clothes on the ride home. Let's be honest though...coffee, a watch, or dry clothes aren't the imperatives. What I always double-check (or triple-check) is that I have my spikes and uniform. "You can't forget those!" I lecture myself!

Despite the difficulty of getting up so early, especially as a night owl type, I love the community that we build on bus trips. I can remember some amazing conversations I’ve had with teammates, as we pass the time together. Sometimes, we’ll laugh together or share in the disappointment of goals unmet. No matter what we do, bus trips are always a lively and enjoyable time.

Competitions in January begin a long yet fulfilling series of meets through the spring season. We begin racing early in January, perhaps before many of us "feel" ready to race. And yet these early benchmarks allow each athlete to create a really trajectory to set goals. Carly Rose, senior middle distance specialist, commented on the meet this last weekend, "This meet was an excellent opportunity to preview the place where we will run G-MAC later this season. We had both great performances and some disappointing ones, but regardless of performance, getting to compete got us excited for the rest of the season and was a good reminder of what were are training for."

We all have to start somewhere. And the diligent preparation to compete more effectively will continue these coming weeks. Coach Bo always says, "Preparation builds confidence, which creates success."

Onward, towards more miles, more workouts, and more preparation for success.

Running for Him,

-Christy

January 19, 2018

Welcome to the Cedarville Women’s Track & Field blog! I’ll be your writer this semester, Christy Jesson. I’m a senior on the team, and nearly finished with my nursing degree. Thank you for stopping by here! As you read upcoming posts, you can expect to hear updates about the season, student-athlete spotlights, and you’ll enjoy getting a peek into the world of collegiate track & field -- and what makes us do what we do.

School resumed for the spring semester last Tuesday, and excitedly we gathered for our first team meeting. We will often discuss season announcements before practice, and set goals as a team during this time. It’s a time to pause and focus, since so much of college life is just go, go, go. As competition season begins, an athlete-of-the-week is also recognized on a weekly basis, noting a student who has practiced and performed at a high level that week. Through the leadership of our coaches and team captains, our team seeks to develop a cohesive vision which enables us to perform at a high level physically, mentally, and spiritually.

This week encompassed the buzz of team training resuming, anticipation of our new indoor facility, and bravery running in the winter weather (with low temps under 10 degrees! That's rough for a California native like me!). Already, the group looks promising, and, as always, we’re hoping to reach new heights of success.

Keep up with us this semester as we compete, and be sure to visit back here for more updates!

PS - Our second indoor meet of the season is Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Hillsdale Conference Crossover in Michigan. Check the Yellow Jacket website for a link to the LIVE RESULTS!

Running for Him!

-Christy

Christy Jesson is a senior distance runner from Simi Valley, Calif. She is in her fourth season with the Lady Jackets and is a Dean's List student majoring in nursing.