What does it actually look like to be a competitive collegiate athlete? Freshman Logan Bouzek calls it “an insane experience.” Most athletes competing at the collegiate level have played their sport for at least four years of high school, some for their entire lives.
“[It’s] something I had worked towards for years,” Bouzek explains. “I feel like most people who play sports through high school dream of those nights on the turf under those bright lights, and to have the opportunity to compete in college sports and build a foundation before I transfer is such a surreal feeling.”
Bouzek competes in the triple jump for the Eagles and has come away with both personal and school records during his debut season. He competes alongside his friend, Owen Suesy, who calls the track his “happy place.” Suesy competes in short distance races and has also set multiple school records.
“The track team is like a second family for me and we’re all very close. Before the 4×1, we do a group prayer to get us locked in before the race.” Suesy says. “All I have to do [at meets] is trust my training and run my races like Coach Weller and I have planned that week.”
Both athletes place importance in their teammates, but also their coaches. Bouzek shared that coaching can make or break a team. “To have a coach who truly believes in your talent and will work to provide anything to get you there is something special,” Bouzek explained when asked about his experiences with the NWACC coaches.
“But it really doesn’t stop there because the group we have on this team has become my family,” Bouzek said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s race day and I’m on the finish line or just completing reps in practice, the group we have has done nothing but cheer me on. This community we’ve built is so important to me that the group prayers, march madness brackets, or team coffee go further than anything anyone else could offer me,” Bouzek shared.
The track and field team has been dominating in their conference, demonstrating true dedication and grit on the track, and grace and humility off of it.
The athletes at NWACC have the same school week as the average student and continue to show up not only for themselves, but for their school, team, and “second family.”
