I believe that athletics and exercise in general help one to stay healthy, both physically and mentally...
Meet the Bishops: Get to know a little about Chayanne Conley of the Ohio Wesleyan women's track & field team.
Name: Chayanne Conley
Class year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology
Minor: Spanish
How/Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
The beautiful atmosphere of the campus, along with the amazing people I had the pleasure of meeting on the track & field team, played the biggest part in helping me decide that Ohio Wesleyan was going to be my new home.
How/Why did you choose your major?
I’ve always loved to help other people and to understand how humans operate. Knowing what humans are thinking in general, and when it comes to others, helps one to further help people on an individual basis. How one thinks for themself, what they are thinking about others, and how that affects them all work together to make an outcome.
Why did you choose to compete in sports at Ohio Wesleyan?
I have always been involved in a sport even before I was in school. Imagining moving on to my next chapter in life without doing a sport felt like leaving a gap in the bridge I was trying to take. Personally, I believe that athletics and exercise in general help one to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. I wanted to put myself in a position where I was doing what I love, knowing it will help me with my other successes.
What academic or athletic achievement/accomplishment are you proud of?
Coming into my freshman year with major back problems was scary for me. I didn't know what to do if I couldn’t be a part of the team that I already felt at home with. Not only was I working hard through the reoccurring injury and meeting expectations, but I surpassed expectations for the year and continued to work hard despite continuous setbacks. I would say I am proud of all of my achievements I made during my freshman year, even the small ones, simply because I was “beating the odds."
What did you do to put yourself in that position to achieve that goal/accomplishment?
Passion. Commitment. Hard Work. With a passion for what I was doing and the mindset of commitment to my team and myself, I continuously worked hard to achieve what I knew I could. If one has all 3 of these, accomplishing your goals will fall into place.
Is there a specific coach or teammate that has helped you get to where you are?
Although I didn’t spend a lot of personal time with him during the beginning of the year, I recall Christian DeWiggins being an incredible teammate from beginning to end. He was always there to push me to do better and never let me cheat myself.
When you're having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
I usually end up listening to music. I love music and at this point in life I truly think it runs through my veins. I have been singing since I was 5 years old and truly believe that music does what words cannot.
If you were told you had only one week left to live, what would be on your bucket list?
I would want to travel to different parts of the world to tell my story and help others in need. I know that seems like a general statement, but I find it important to be open to all different forms of helping because not everyone needs the same thing.
by Madison Bridger '21
