Haily Bass
Sport: Sprints
Major: Counseling Psychology
What has stood out to you about the university in your first year?
The authentic Christianity at LeTourneau is what stands out to me the most. Anywhere you go on campus, you will encounter the love of God. In the classrooms, the Hive, a sporting event, or on any of the floors, you will find a unique community that supports you in all facets of your life.
How has being at LeTourneau challenged you in your faith and in your athletic ability?
In all honesty, my first year here has challenged my pride. I thought I knew all about track and field; however, you can never know enough. Coach Raske and Coach Van are very knowledgeable people, and I can truly say I learned something new from them in every practice. I am beyond thankful for their coaching and mentoring.
What is it like to compete against other teams and athletes from around the country at all levels of collegiate athletics?
It is an exhilarating experience. When competing against higher-level athletes, I have learned how to redefine what success is for me. Success in a track meet is not always getting first; it may be getting a new personal best, improving from my last meet, or getting my form down. I learn from my shortcomings by seeing what not to do or what to do next time.
David Dugan
Sport: Distance
Major: Mechanical Engineering
How has being at LeTourneau challenged you in your faith and in your athletic ability?
From day one, I have been challenged to think about my faith in a new way: vocation. How has God called me into the field of engineering? How has God called me into athletics? In my first semester, I didn't have a very clear idea of what that meant. However, through my classes, I was able to process exactly what it means to be called into the workplace.
What have you enjoyed the most about being a student here and on the track and field team?
The coaches are very conscious of the balance we make between school and athletics. Here, I am a student athlete, not the other way around. With high quality coaching and enough time to study, I have been able to excel in academics as well as athletics.
What has stood out to you about the university in your first year?
LeTourneau does an amazing job of discipling its students. Whether through coursework or the community, people grow here. I hope I can be as impactful to incoming freshmen as my upperclassmen friends are to me.
Victoria Wilson
Sport: Multi-Event
Major: Kinesiology
What have you enjoyed the most about being a student here and on the track & field team?
Being a student at LeTourneau has changed my life. My relationship with God has grown so much since I started here, and He couldn't have made it clearer that this school is perfect for me. One thing that is very hard to find in college is a team that is very close and loves one another. The track and field team treats everyone like they are family.
What were some of the key reasons you chose to attend LeTourneau and compete on the track & field team?
I chose LeTourneau because I trusted the coaches, and I knew that I would develop well as an athlete and grow my relationship with God at the same time. I knew the background of the coaches, their years coaching in Division I and all the accomplishments they had achieved, so I chose to trust and invest in them.
If you could go back and tell yourself last year all about your experience at LeTourneau, what would you say?
I would tell myself that college is harder than you think, bust trust in the Lord and you'll be okay. I would also tell myself to be ready for anything because things are going to be thrown at you and you have to adjust.
