Northwest Christian student-athlete Bethany Howard (black shirt, second row) has also served as the campus missions coordinator.
EUGENE, Ore. – Bethany Howard never would have pictured herself running cross country in college. Throughout her career at Philomath High School, Howard was a standout soccer player with aspirations of playing at the college level. She achieved that goal when she became part of the Northwest Christian program two years ago. But after her sophomore season, Howard was ready for a change. This year, she made the shift to run for the cross country team. While Howard never would have thought of a sport other than soccer being her athletic focus in school, she always had a desire to travel the world and experience it firsthand.
The decision to run cross country rather than play soccer was a difficult one for Howard. After being best friends with all her high school teammates, it was hard to find that same bond with a new set of faces. Howard was thankful for the support of assistant soccer coach Jonathan Rea, who respected her choice and sought her best interest though the process. The decision to make the switch from soccer to cross country was a difficult one, but a combination of strong support from family, friends, and coaches along with an acquired hatred for the bumps and bruises that come with any contact sport, made her choice a little easier. “It’s been nice not to have my legs in bruises for about a year now,” Howard said.
Don’t get her wrong. Howard still loves soccer. But for now, cross country is a better fit. Howard’s younger sister recently made the same shift in sports, trading in her cleats for running shoes. When Bethany saw that her sister was enjoying the new challenge and having fun chasing her personal records, she began to think this could really work. And so far, she has been exactly right.
“I just love this team. Every member of this team is valuable and we all enjoy encouraging each other,” Howard said. “Running is a lot about community and we get to talk quite a bit. We just have great chemistry.”
This should come as no surprise. Head coach Heike McNeil (pictured, left, with Howard) also serves as associate professor of chemistry. She has been happy to welcome Howard to the team, taking special note of her leadership abilities and mental toughness.
“Bethany is wonderful to have on the team. Her and Emily Baynes are older and well-respected on the team and can guide the group spiritually,” McNeil said. “The physical adjustment has been a bit rough for her, competing with other women on the team who have been running for five or more years. But she is very tough and is just going to get better and better.”
Howard has come a long way and is working hard to improve each day, whether training on the Amazon trails or going for a personal record at Skinner’s Butte. She has fit in quite nicely with her teammates, but also gives credit to her coach for being an inspiration to her.
“Heike is wonderful. She is a huge motivator and cares so much about what’s best for us. No matter how you’re feeling, she keeps us relaxed and reminds us not to stress. We focus on letting go of what we can’t control and doing our best. She has really challenged us and made us better.”
Howard’s contributions to NCU stretch well beyond her athletic talent. Last year, she served as the missions coordinator in the campus ministries department under Pastor Steve Poetzl and Elizabeth Seybold. Working to plan, fundraise, and organize trips to Cambodia and Israel, Howard played an instrumental part inspiring students to step out on a limb and make a positive impact in the world around them.
“The thing I enjoyed most about my role was being able to encourage and motivate students to get out of their comfort zones and go on these trips,” Howard said. “It was amazing to see each person’s strengths put in action as part of a missions team and witness the ways the Lord worked in everyone’s lives. I learned from Pastor Steve’s guidance, Elizabeth’s creativity, and also through each student that made the trip.”
Even after spending three weeks in Cambodia this past summer, Howard’s time overseas is far from over. In January 2009, she will be taking part in a program called “Semester in Spain” through Trinity Christian College in Illinois, taking classes fully in Spanish and living with a host family. Her younger sister is currently attending a one-year Bible college in Germany, and they intend to meet up and travel together during Bethany’s spring break. Howard is looking forward to spending time immersed in Spanish culture in hopes of becoming fluent in the language.
“I’m excited that I get the chance to experience living in another country for more than just three weeks,” she said. “I know it will be a challenge, but I also know that it will be an incredible experience and that I won’t be the same person when I come home.”
Howards plans after graduation are still up in the air, but missions work isn’t out of the question. “The biggest thing I learned from Cambodia,” says Howard “was that no matter where God leads me in life, I should have a missions lifestyle. Missions shouldn’t be something that I get amped up for once a year, but something I focus on every day of my life.”
For now, a young woman who never saw herself running competitively in college is adjusting and learning more every day. In January it’s off to Spain, but first she’ll close the fall with the Beacons. This Saturday, the Beacons travel to Seattle for the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships. Howard looks forward to running her fastest race and, best of all, not have to worry about the bruises.