Senior runner Megan Crutchfield closed out her career last weekend at the Brutus Hamilton Invitation at the University of California. She has been a part of the cross country and track program for four years.  She earned Daktronics/NAIA Scholar Athlete Honors this past season.  She reflects on his journey as a student-athlete at WJU:

Why did you choose William Jessup University?

I chose WJU for a few reasons: It felt like the right fit for me- God placed me here in order for me to grow as a person and grow stronger in my faith; I was offered a running scholarship for both cross country and track all four years; and it is close enough to my home in Lodi to where I was able to be on my own, but close enough to where I could go home and spend time with my family.

What have you learned from running for Head Coach Parker Daniells?

Coach Parker has taught me so many things, both running related and just life-lessons in general. He has helped me better learn how to balance multiple things going on, like school, running, leadership, family, church, friends, and a boyfriend. He has also helped me learn that it is okay to cry and talk things out. It is actually really healthy and necessary at times. 

What was your favorite memory from your Track and Field career at WJU?

Our road trips with the entire team are always a blast. One of my favorite memories was from sophomore year when we raced at Vanguard in Costa Mesa. We all ate wayyyy too much cake the night before our meet and no one raced very well because of all the food we had. But it was okay because we enjoyed the few days we had at the beach, running in LA, shopping, and exploring SoCal as a team.

Who had the greatest influence on your life to get you where you are today and why?

My mom and dad are the most supportive and loving people in my life. They have gone to all of mine and my sister's volleyball, cross country, and track meets and every other event we have been apart of. They have always pushed us to be the best we could be and to do our best, no matter the outcome. My parents show us what it means to be a follower of Christ on a daily basis and always encourage us to be a loving example wherever we go.

What are three traits that helped you get where you are today?

Life is unpredictable and never what we expect, so I would say grace, adaptability, and love. I have learned how important it is to be able to adjust and accept change when necessary. With that comes grace and unconditional love in that we all mess up, but God is always there giving us another chance because of His great love for us.

If you had one piece of advice for future Warrior student-athletes, what would it be?

Be best friends with Monica and Kayla! They take such good care of all of us and you are going to need them throughout your entire athletic career.

What's been your greatest experience as a student-athlete at WJU?

Making lifelong friends that I know I will always stay close to. Running with the girls has been a blast and I have enjoyed our runs when we would all tell each other about our exciting lives and play weird games to make the time go by faster.

What will you miss most leaving WJU?

How easy and simple it is compared to the real world. College is so great. There is less responsibility and the hardest thing you have to think about is balancing the $500 flex between the Caf and the Shack.

How have you integrated your faith into running?

You have to have faith in order to run. Running is hard. I usually pray while I run and that gives me the strength to keep going and to push myself. God definitely uses running as a way to keep me reliant on Him because He knows there is NO WAY I can run 9 miles on my own-it is completely God and I love how He increases my faith and trust in Him through something that I enjoy.

What are your goals after WJU?

My dream and goal is to one day be in the FBI. As of now, I'll be working and hanging with my awesome family.