Our team is the family I never knew I needed and I am forever grateful...
Meet the Bishops: Get to know a little about Lauren Montgomery of the Ohio Wesleyan women's cross country team.
Name: Lauren Montgomery
Class year: Sophomore
Majors: Early childhood education and special education
How/Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose Ohio Wesleyan because of the small class sizes and the sense of community that seemed to be evident throughout the entire campus. I fell in love with the beauty of campus and all of the opportunities it has to offer.
How/Why did you choose your major?
I have always had a passion for being with young kids and being able to say that I have influenced them in even the slightest way is something that I dream of. Special education holds a special place in my heart as one of my best friends has special needs and I can only hope that one day I can inspire someone almost as much as he inspires me on a daily basis.
Why did you choose to compete in sports at Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose to compete at Ohio Wesleyan because without running I feel incomplete. After the very first time I met the coaches, all of my worries and doubts about being able to succeed as a college athlete drifted away and I knew this is where I was meant to be. Our team is the family I never knew I needed and I am forever grateful to have them in my life now and for many years to come.
What are your strengths as an athlete (as an individual)?
Something that I consider to be a strength as an athlete is my attitude towards the little things. I always try to come into practice or a race with an open mind as I truly believe attitude is everything and I hope that each day my positive attitude can make someone else’s day or practice or race just a little bit better.
What is your number one goal, personal or team, for this season?
This season is going to look different than any other we have competed in before but that does not make me any less excited. I hope that we can become a true unit when it comes to racing (even amongst ourselves this year) and that we all push each other to be our absolute best because without each other, what do we have?
What event/sport other than your own would you like to try?
This may seem a little out there but if I could try another sport it would be ultimate frisbee. Now if you know me, you know that my coordination could use some work and I’m not saying I would be any good at frisbee but it looks like so much fun!
Is there a specific coach or teammate who has helped you get to where you are?
If I had to name one person who has helped me get to where I am now it is Mikayla Watts. She is also a sophomore and we both entered the team being the slowest ones but that never stopped us. Even on my worst days, Mikayla was always by my side encouraging me to keep going. We navigated the intimidating first season as college athletes together and I am so thankful to have her by my side always. Something we always reminded each other was that "we are nobodies who are going to turn into somebodies."
If you could have a superpower what would it be?
If I could have a superpower it would be the ability to fly. My inner child who grew up on Disney movies just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fly across the night sky like Peter Pan and Wendy.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with?
I am interpreting this as three separate meals because my three people have absolutely nothing in common but they all hold a place in my heart. The first would be Sarah J. Maas, the author of my all time favorite book series. The second would be Zac Efron, he will forever be my biggest celeb crush and I have no shame in admitting that. And the third would be my great grandma (G.G.) because she was simply the coolest woman I have ever met and I would give anything to sit with her on her back porch again and gossip about people.
What is your ideal travel destination?
My ideal travel destination isn’t exactly anywhere precise but more like an image I have in my brain. Somewhere where there is a cobblestone road with little cottage houses and green grass and rolling hills, I think you get the picture. More or less just somewhere that is the equivalent of being in a fairy tale.
by Madison Bridger '21
