The Athletes' Voice • April 21, 2026
As I lace up my running shoes and prepare to take on the track, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey that has brought me here. From a young age, I faced significant health challenges, including two brain surgeries and the hurdles of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome). Through it all, my faith, […]
The Athletes' Voice • March 31, 2026
As a gymnast, I began my journey at the age of two. In my small town, everyone knew me as the girl who left school early for gymnastics, the one with dreams of going D1. My identity was so intertwined with the sport that I couldn’t imagine myself without it. However, life had a different […]
The Athletes' Voice • March 27, 2026
As a track and field athlete at the University of Kentucky, I carry the legacy of my family’s athletic achievements with me. My grandfather, Robert “Bob” Barlette, was one of the most accomplished athletes to come out of Western New York. A standout sprinter at Dunkirk High School, he set longstanding records in the 100-yard […]
The Athletes' Voice • March 1, 2026
I was born in a small town in the Ethiopian countryside, near Addis Ababa, during a famine. During that time, my father made the difficult decision to put me up for adoption. He wanted me to have a chance at life, even if it meant letting me go. I was around four years old at […]
The Athletes' Voice • February 9, 2026
As a dedicated athlete, my life has been a balancing act of academics, family sacrifices, and personal challenges. My journey began with a deep love for soccer, which was nurtured by my family’s immense support. My father, who had coached me through high school, recognized my talent early on and went above and beyond to […]
The Athletes' Voice • January 26, 2026
I’ve been an athlete my whole life, but it wasn’t until I started my journey as a distance runner at the University of Nebraska that I began to fully realize the impact I could have on others. As NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities emerged, I saw an avenue to not only benefit myself, but also […]
The Athletes' Voice • January 20, 2026
My journey as a college soccer player at the University of Texas began long before I set foot on campus. It started with a decision to leave my home in New York and head to IMG Academy in Florida during the pandemic. At IMG, I had the opportunity to develop as a player and a […]
The Athletes' Voice • December 2, 2025
I hated soccer at first. It was no fun. I cried all the time and never wanted to go to practice. In fact, the only reason I even started playing was because my mom worked for a soccer office, and I got free access to summer camps and other perks. It was just a way […]
The Athletes' Voice • October 15, 2025
My journey in the sport of softball has been anything but ordinary. Growing up, I didn’t dream of being a softball player. I was a cheerleader who got invited to play on a travel softball team as a guest player, and that’s where it all began. The more time I spent playing, the more I […]
The Athletes' Voice • September 10, 2025
I was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, a small town on the outskirts of the metro area. Interestingly, my first love was volleyball, a sport entirely unrelated to what I do now. Later, I followed in my dad’s footsteps and took up basketball. It seemed like a natural progression, and I experienced a fair amount […]