According to the NCAA, 2.9% of high school athletes pursue track and field at the  Division III level; senior Sydney Behrens is part of that 2.9%.

The beginning of senior year is known to be challenging. Between AP classes and college applications, seniors have a lot to balance. For student-athletes, they have the added challenge of handling college recruitment. Beginning competitive sports in first grade, Behrens is accustomed to balancing academics with athletics. Behrens applied to 12 universities and wrote more than 35 college essays while getting to know coaches and players. “I felt like I was constantly emailing coaches, scheduling zooms and phone calls, and meeting with players on the teams,” Behrens said. 

Throughout her high school career, Behrens has participated in track and is a member of the track and field team here. Her primary event is the 400-meter race. Track has provided Behrens with a community that can relate to her life as a student-athlete. Behrens described the strenuous workouts and physical exhaustion as a good “bonding experience” for the athletes. 

Because of COVID-19, track meets were canceled, preventing Behrens from competing. During her junior year, she could only run at two meets. Luckily, unlike other sports, track does not require coaches to attend meets. “There are websites that post official times and record your races, so I just had to send them to coaches,” Behrens said. 

Besides affecting her track meets, COVID-19 also prevented Behrens from visiting schools in person. She utilized virtual tours and information sessions to get a feel for the colleges she was interested in.. However, she was able to see those schools at the end of the summer before her senior year started. 

At the end of October, Behrens committed to Claremont Mckenna College, or CMC, in Claremont, CA, for track. After determining that she wanted to major in economics, Behrens knew CMC’s rigorous and well-regarded economics program would be the right fit for her. Their cross-country program is also one of the best in the country. “Honestly, once I stepped on campus, I knew it was the right place for me,” Behrens said.  

Although competing for CMC will be a new experience for Behrens, she plans to continue the traditions and superstitions she has formed while competing in Maryland. Her current superstitions include wearing the same pair of socks that match her spikes.  

Besides academics and athletes, CMC provided Behrens with the opportunity to give back to her community. The school emphasizes the importance of community service for its students. Behrens explained that CMC students are “doers” trying to “contribute to the success of the next generation politically, economically, environmentally, and socially.” 

Overall, Behrens expects participating in collegiate track to continue to strengthen her mentally. “I’m certain there will be plenty of days where I would rather sleep in and rest my sore muscles than have practice early in the morning or rather hang out with friends than have to travel for a meet, but I will continue to show up and work hard despite the pain,” Behrens said.