Cedarville Magazine, Fall 2016

Cedarville Magazine | 29 Carsyn Koch ’18 Becomes First Cedarville Undergrad to Compete at Olympic Trials Yellow Jacket Carsyn Koch ’18 qualified for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, competing in the women’s 800 meter on July 1 in Eugene, Oregon. She placed fifth in her preliminary heat in 2:05.57. She was the only NCAA Division II athlete in the field of 38, which included more than a dozen professionals and eight runners from Division I institutions. While multiple Cedarville University graduates have participated in the Olympic Trials, Koch became the first undergraduate to qualify. She did so with the 2:02.39 effort she turned in at the Stanford University Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, California, on May 1. That mark is the fastest time in women’s Division II outdoor history, breaking a record that stood for 26 years. Koch, fromWashburn, Maine, posted the No. 4 time of 2:03.48 in winning the NCAA Division II title on May 28 in Bradenton, Florida. Her 2:03.58 performance at the Mt. SAC Relays in Norwalk, California, ranks No. 5. During the winter season, she won the Division II indoor 800-meter championship in 2:05.12, setting meet and school records in the process. More than a dozen print and electronic media outlets from across the country covered Koch in the months of May and June alone. At least a hundred supporters showed up at the Callan Athletic Center for her send-off to the Trials on June 28, in addition to the buzz created by Yellow Jacket fans on social media. “I am proud of all that Carsyn has accomplished in her first two years here at Cedarville,” noted Jeff Bolender ’91, Cedarville’s Director of Cross Country and Track and Field. “The Olympic trials competition was one that she will never forget. This experience will be invaluable for her as she seeks to compete in future high-level competitions.” Norman’s older sister, Bethany ’17, is a four-year member of the Lady Jacket distance running team. Her younger sister, Danielle, is a junior at LCA. Norman was born without her left foot and ankle and her right big toe due to an amniotic band disorder. Due to the condition, fetal parts in the womb, such as fingers, toes, and limbs, are caught in fibrous bands and amputated. “I’m very grateful for my prosthetic,” Norman affirmed. “If I would have not been born like this, I probably wouldn’t have been given these opportunities to compete on a world stage and share my faith with others. God had this plan for my life all along. “There’s a reason why I’m training so long and it’s so hard,” Norman said. “He has a reason and plan for me, and I have to trust that His plan is perfect for my life.” The next phase of that plan includes running winter indoor track for Cedarville. “I’ve looked forward to running for Cedarville most of my life,” she shared. “To finally be on the team, it’s very exciting. I hope to really strengthenmyself athletically, get my best times in a lot of different distances, make varsity for all the teams, and improve all around.” And what about her counsel to young athletes? “I would tell them that if you make goals and put your mind to what you want to do, you can achieve more than you think,” Norman said. “Dream big and really go after those goals. Don’t let anything in life stop you, whether disabilities, or circumstances. God placed those in your life to grow you and challenge you, not to stop you.” Clem Boyd is Managing Editor of Cedarville Magazine .