I chose Ohio Wesleyan for the cross country and track programs, the OWU Connection, and the family atmosphere...
Name: McKenna Downing
Class year: 2026
Major: Undeclared, but leaning towards sports and exercise management and coaching
Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose Ohio Wesleyan for the cross country and track programs, the OWU Connection, and the family atmosphere.
Why did you choose your major?
I am interested in sports and exercise management and coaching because I want to teach people about sports and how to find a love for it like I have.
Do you have any pre-event rituals or superstitions?
Before every cross country race, I would wake up at the same time, eat the same breakfast, and always use the same hair ties for my hair. Before every track meet, I would, again, use the same hair ties, same socks, and once I got up to the line I would shake out my legs at least three times.
Why do you like your event?
I love running because it truly pushes me beyond what I thought I could do. The post-run and post-race endorphins are very real and an amazing feeling. I love to compete and run against the best of the best, which is what I can't wait to do in college. The 800 is my favorite race on the track because it involves...speed and endurance and it takes a different kind of mindset to push through it.
What are your strengths as an athlete (as an individual)?
Some of my strengths are being extremely determined, competitive, and also being there for other people. You can only get yourself so far, especially in running, and being a supportive teammate and friend is just as important as succeeding in running.
What athletic or academic achievement/accomplishment are you most proud of?
The athletic achievement that I am most proud of is placing 50th in the 2021 Ohio state cross country meet in DIII and receiving Academic All-Ohio honors. I have also earned first team for the WOAC Conference for winning two individual events in one meet. I was also on the WOAC Academic Team.
What did you do to put yourself in position to achieve that?
To achieve these goals, I put in a (huge) amount of passion into my training. Running is the absolute love of my life and I want to do anything to get better at it. I want to make myself, my team, and my family proud, so I am always determined, always working, and I always have a drive to win. When people underestimate me, it only fuels me to do better. So much of my success has come from the people around me, who always support me, and all of that combined with myself pushes me to bigger and better things.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
It would definitely be flying.
Which reality show would you like to star on and why?
I would want to star on The Amazing Race because I would love the adrenaline and seeing all around the world.
by Michaela Alfano '25
