Competing in Division 1 NCAA athletics takes more than talent – it takes dedication, determination, and a willingness to get back up anytime you miss the shot. Competing amid a pandemic comes with its own set of obstacles. This is the time to rally behind our student athletes! This, Bobcats, is the time to rise.

CROSS COUNTRY

Meet The Athlete:
Jessie Hartman '22, Social Work Major

"Getting to represent a university and community that I love with my best friends. Ohio has challenged me to be the best version of myself on the field and in the classroom thanks to my coaches, mentors, and teammates." 

"Balancing running, school, and wellness. Mental health, nutrition, and athletic training resources have helped me to find a healthy balance in my life. I feel supported as an athlete and a person."

"Being an athlete on a team has taught me to put others before myself. Sport is unique in that it challenges me to not only work on improving myself but to also look outwardly on how I can help the team succeed. I lead by being present, attentive, and vocal about the needs of my teammates."

TRACK & FIELD

Meet The Athlete:
Taniah Stephens '22, Journalism Major

"My favorite aspect of running for OHIO is that I have another family with my team. Being around these women every day and creating these unbreakable bonds, is something that I cherish deeply. Another aspect would be being able to represent my school while doing something that I am actively passionate about." 

"Challenges that student athletes face (but which OHIO is doing well in supporting) is making sure we are getting the necessary resources for our mental wellbeing. Having a sports psychologist for athletics is particularly important and OHIO understands that." 

"I know being an athlete makes me a better leader by translating the skills of communication, working cohesively, and motivating my teammates to work hard can correlate with what I do outside of track and field, like in working environment or classroom. If I can create an environment for my teammates by communicating positively and making sure everyone is on the right track to be successful, I know I can do the same for my classmates and coworkers."

Your generous gift to this OHIO campaign will help student-athletes succeed on and off the field.

Your actions now will make OHIO Cross Country and Track & Field's $30,000 goal quickly attainable. Here are four things alumni, families, and fans can do to support a bright future for XC and T&F student-athletes:

• Make a gift here, in support of this Time To Rise: OHIO Cross Country + Track & Field 2021 crowdfunding campaign.
• Mail a check (payable to The Ohio University Foundation) to The Ohio University Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, OH 45701; be sure to write OHIO XC + T&F 2021 on the memo line.
• Talk with Annual Giving's Matt Thomson '13 about a transformational gift to support these sports.
• If you want to explore making a charitable gift to this campaign with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), giving via a Donor Advised Fund or stock transfer, please also reach out to Matt Thomson.

To support all of OHIO's student-athletes, give to the Ohio Bobcat Club through the give.ohio.edu site, write Ohio Bobcat Club on your check, or ask Matt Thomson about Ohio Bobcat Club membership and benefits