CORVALLIS, Ore. – Heading into the 2020-21 year, 24 student-athletes were named to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), representing their schools.
Emily Adams is one of Lewis-Clark State College’s two SAAC representatives. The senior cross country and track and field athlete is majoring in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science/health occupations and minoring in business administration and coaching.
The Waitsburg, Wash., native chose LC State because she graduated from a small high school and wanted to continue her schooling in a similar environment.
“My coach reached out to me first and that got the ball rolling,” said Adams. “I knew LCSC had a competitive cross country program and a growing track team where I believed I would fit in perfectly. I also had an idea of what I wanted to study and the program was offered here. After visiting campus and meeting some staff/faculty, I knew LCSC was where I wanted to go, and it didn't take long after my visit to commit. It also happens to work out that I am only an 80-minute drive from home so weekend visits are easy to make happen.”
Like many other SAAC reps, Adams has learned the importance of managing her time as a student-athlete.
“I think the biggest demand [as a student-athlete] is managing your time wisely,” said Adams. “With all the factors in the equation, it can be tricky to make the time to do everything you need. Other than school, homework, work, practice/recovery time, I also have to make time for friends/family, making meals, sleep, and time for myself.”
Adams also knows as a student-athlete, she is someone kids look up to and someone that can have lots of eyes on.
“Another demand is making sure you are always being a positive role model, and a good representative for the college,” said Adams. “This one is not hard, but we always need to be aware that our actions can reflect back on the school and may have an influence of how the athletic department is perceived by others.”
Since she graduated from a small high school, Adams was the only girl on the cross country team. At LC State, she is now a part of a team and has loved the transition.
“The best experience so far is getting to be on a nationally competitive team where all the girls are just as motivated as you,” said Adams. “Coming to college with a team full of talented girls was an adjustment I embraced with open arms.”
Adams has also enjoyed the academic side of LC State where “professors take the time to get to know their students personally and are very passionate about what they are teaching.”
Throughout her time at LC State, Adams has met some influential people, including her husband. The pair got married this summer – despite COVID-19 putting a wrench in their original plans – after meeting her freshman year.
“We met on the team, him a junior when I was a freshman,” said Adams. “He has helped me out a lot when it comes to running; pacing me in workouts, being my lifting buddy, and reminding me of my goals when I would lose motivation. When he raced the marathon his senior year, the training was intense, but he never backed away from the challenges. He's helped me a lot through injuries and I couldn't be more thankful for someone like him.
“[Another] person who comes to mind is a girl who was a senior my freshman year, Ariel,” said Adams. “Not only was she a very talented runner, she was a genuinely amazing friend. She made sure that the freshmen were welcomed and took the time to check in on everyone. I looked up to her in running as she gave it her all no matter what and would complete any race with a smile on her face.”
When not out running or studying, Adams enjoys reading, thrift shopping and riding horses.
“I don't have a favorite genre, so my bookshelf is a hodgepodge of everything, and I am always looking to add to the collection,” said Adams. “I also love thrift shopping. Some of my teammates joke that I am a thrift shopping queen as I can usually find a good deal on something. When I go home to visit, usually I take the time to hop on one of our horses and go for a long ride in the hills behind my house.”
Adams is set to graduate after this year and has ideas of what she wants to do after graduation but hasn’t settled on exactly what she will do.
“One idea is becoming a Certified Exercise Physiologist and working in a cardiac rehab center or with a physical therapist,” said Adams. “Another idea is opening up a running specialty store in the Lewis-Clark Valley and being involved with the community as much as possible. One thing is for certain and that is becoming a Certified Personal Trainer and helping others find their passion for fitness.”
LC State recently became a full member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, so Adams and her fellow rep are new to the scene, but Adams is excited to make the most of this year.
“As LC State is new to the conference, I hope to get to know other SAAC members and make connections to other schools while showing others how awesome our school is,” said Adams. “I hope we can put a focus on mental health and find new ways to represent our own athletic departments within our communities.”