Friday, November 6, 2020

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Name: Sage Way
Sport: Cross Country and Track and Field
Institution: Northwest Nazarene University
Year: Sophomore
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Cascade, Idaho

Why Did You Choose To Attend Northwest Nazarene?: I was able to pursue sports while also being part of a great nursing program. I absolutely love the community here.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class was Honors Science Fiction because we got to nerd out and talk about aliens and other extraterrestrial stuff.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: My favorite professor is Kamela Lawrence. She is always so nice and understanding and tries to keep us from stressing out, which is a breath of fresh air when you’re in the nursing field.

Years Involved In SAAC: One year.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: My coach recommended it to me and I thought it would be a fun and insightful opportunity to be involved in a leadership role in college.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: It will give me a greater sense of responsibility and allow me to understand the skills that it takes to represent a group of people.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: I am honored to be able to compete on a Division II team. I feel like it's a happy medium between smaller Division III schools and huge Division I universities. My coaches are involved and concerned for me as an individual, which is something that I may not have found if I went to a bigger school.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: It takes a lot of time management and discipline to excel in both school and sports. I've learned that I have to make sacrifices in order to achieve a greater goal.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: Injuries have commonly hindered my ability to compete in the sports that I love. I've found that it's important to focus on making the best out of the present rather than dwelling on what could’ve been. It's also helpful to remind myself that I won't be injured forever. With patience and respect for the healing process, I will be back soon enough.

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: Being able to travel and see people from all over the Pacific Northwest compete.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Getting a new personal record in a cross country race last year in Lacey, Washington. It was raining the whole time and I had an almost euphoric moment while running through the damp and lush forest.

If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: I think the amount of caffeine in a small home-brewed coffee is an unrealistic limit for college students.

Current Mentor(s): Craig Craker, the NNU sports information director. I am an intern for him and I get to learn a lot about writing and sports, which is an interest of mine. I compete in sports but I also love writing about them.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Freshman year is the most confusing, stressful and uncharted time to figure out a new normal. In my experience, it all gets better from there, which is something to look forward to.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: I would love to spend a day with Emma Coburn to see what the life of an Olympic athlete is like. Maybe she would give me some free New Balance merchandise too, which would be cool.

Extracurricular Activities: Hiking, biking, river surfing, backpacking and rafting.

Future Goals After Graduation: My goal is to graduate with a degree in nursing, buy a van, travel along the Oregon Coast, become a travel nurse and learn how to surf.

Favorite Sports Team: I am inherently predisposed to like the Dallas Cowboys. You're welcome, Dad!

Favorite Athlete: Emma Coburn.

One Thing People Don’t Know About Me Is: I am usually really good at rock paper scissors.