Pictured above: MHC Track and Field team cheer in 2018 . Image courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Athletics.
By Gigi Picard ‘22
Sports Editor
Mount Holyoke student-athletes spent the summer waiting for news about future practice and competition schedules, which were made uncertain by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many spring student-athletes, their season came to a premature close in early March 2020. The affected teams included lacrosse, riding, rowing, tennis and track and field. While there were hopes of competitions resuming this school year, they were once again canceled at the beginning of the year. Current track and field juniors reflected on what they have learned over the course of the last year being unable to compete.
Katie Milligan ’22 talked about adjusting her priorities and gaining perspective during the time away from in-person practices and competitions. Before the College closed, she had thought more about running than school.
“Once we got sent home and I had gone through that initial process of grieving, I think everyone started to situate themselves more in the social worlds they had at home, so it felt more disconnected,” Milligan said. “We did still try to do things from afar, like doing a book club and training from home — which was really hard and took up a ton of my physical and mental energy.”
“As much as the team is still very important to me and I still have goals for myself, I think I have a wider perspective on it, where it doesn't take up so much of my headspace, and I prioritize my mental health much more than any of my commitments. … It's given me a better understanding of my limits and how much I can push myself before things start feeling unmanageable,” she added. Milligan also said that the “experience has given me a better sense of who I am as an individual both within and outside the team and of what my needs are in order to stay healthy mentally and physically.”
Sydney Nash ’22 felt that being with the team this semester has made the lack of competitions easier to handle. According to Nash, the team has been coming up with their own ways to take part in a competitive experience.
“Losing the traditional competition side of things has been disappointing, but the support of the team has been great through it all,” Nash said. “We have learned to adapt and have been having some fun ‘meets’ within the team. I have never been so excited for morning practice — even though we don’t have our normal competitions this spring, just being with the team has been such a nice change from the fall when we were all remote.”
“I think this time has really shown the resilience of the team — if we can work hard through this then we can work hard through anything, and I am excited to see what we can do when we are able to compete in the future,” Nash added.
Pictured above: MHC Track and Field distance runners competing at a meet in 2019. Image courtesy of Mount Holyoke College Athletics.
Leah Pendl-Robinson ’22 believes that the team has been doing well this year and the members show respect toward one another. “Everyone is doing what they need to do in order to get the most out of this ‘season,’” she said. “The support from the team has really leveled up. Even though we are all struggling, we all want to be there for each other and are willing to do whatever we can to help one another out, regardless of being remote or not.”
Pendl-Robinson finds that “there is still some disappointment” since the College pulled out of 2021 spring competitions, and she noted that the seniors won’t be able to “have the closure of their final meet.”
“I have learned to not take anything for granted, even the mundane things such as Monday morning practices. … I knew going into sports that every moment is valuable, as time goes by fast, so [we have to] relish every moment, but even more so after this past year, I learned that every moment is truly special,” Pendl-Robinson said. “You never know when your last time for anything will be, so just being present and enjoying what you have then and there is a gift,” she emphasized.
Natalie Rodman ’22 mentioned that teammates are encouraging one another to be as lively as they would be in a regular season.
“Over this past year, I have certainly learned the resilience of the track and field team,” Rodman said. “This is such a special group of energetic people who continue to support each other day in and day out. Our team tries to keep the competitive spirit alive by having ‘mini meets,’ relays and obstacle courses, but it is truly amazing how motivated and hard-working everyone has remained. I think we also have a greater appreciation for the ‘little things’ now, whether training alongside teammates, having an outlet or even laughing together.”
College President Sonya Stephens announced that the College will return to a full residential experience in the fall of 2021. If all goes well, Milligan, Nash and Rodman may get to compete during their senior year.