The Sojourn Athlete of the Week, presented by Amplify Media, is Ally Hawk, a hurdler and sprinter on the IWU track and field team.
Hawk is a junior from Davison, Michigan. She attended Davison High School.
“I actually wanted to go to college for volleyball,” Hawk said. “Senior year, my mindset kind of changed. I actually liked track a lot more than I liked volleyball. It’s a really good atmosphere because it’s a team sport, but it’s also an individual sport.”
Hawk’s parents, as well as her aunt and uncle, went to Indiana Wesleyan, so she was familiar with the university.
“I wanted a Christian school, a good college that would meet what I would want to do for a major, and I also wanted a good track team. Those three were top on my list of what I wanted in a school,” Hawk said.
Hawk already holds a multitude of records for IWU, including the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles, and 400-meter hurdles. However, Hawk’s influence goes beyond the track.
“She’s one of the big reasons I initially looked at IWU,” sophomore sprinter Dylainey Floyd said. “I don’t ever feel alone when I get on the track because I know Ally is going to cheer for me no matter what.”
Floyd emphasized Hawk’s spiritual influence on the team as well.
“Before my meet, she’s always there, ready to pray for me,” Floyd said.
The Wildcats recently competed in the Indoor Crossroads League Championships, finishing second. Hawk was the 600-meter run conference champion while finishing second in the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles.
“I was really nervous for it, but a lot of people came around me and were super supportive. I prayed a lot for it, so overall, it was a really good experience,” Hawk said.
Hawk and the Wildcats are now preparing for indoor nationals, which will take place in Gainesville, Florida.
“Nationals is a really fun opportunity to get to see a lot more teams and get to run against a higher level of competition,” Hawk said.
Hawk qualified to compete in the 600-meter run at the NAIA Indoor National Championships, which begin this Thursday, March 27, and run through Saturday, March 1.
