Nearly all athletes can be considered “celebrities.” They’re well known for their athleticism and accomplishments, and people love to name-drop them (you know you scope out the dining hall for the hot-shot athlete so you can brag to your friends that you two had the same lunch, admit it). But we shouldn’t use athletes for a social boost. We should use them as inspiration to lead better lives. No matter which athlete you consider, you have to admire their ability to balance their sport with the rest of their lives. If you think about it, professionals in a way have it easier: their sport is their job. But for collegiate athletes, their sport comes second to classes and homework, and yet they still have to give it their all for themselves and their teammates.
Chesna Sykes is a perfect example of an athlete who is finding out how difficult it is to balance the aspects of her life with her now incredibly demanding track schedule. A freshman on OSU’s track team, Chesna runs the 4×100 meter relay, and the 100 and 200 meter dashes—all sprint events! She practices every afternoon, following a full day of classes, and preceding meetings with her mentor to keep herself on “track” academically (ha ha ha…). Not to mention the early-morning lifting three times a week and weekly travels to away meets! Wow, I’m getting tired just writing about her days! But she still manages to excel and garner awards and rightfully-earned praise. Chesna was on Varsity all four years of high school, won numerous State titles, became an All-American, and won team awards like rookie of the year and MVP two years running. I know what you’re thinking: how is it possible?! Well, read on to find out and see what makes Chesna a true celebrity.
Name: Chesna Sykes
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Year: Freshman
Major: Criminology
HC: How do you balance being an athlete with school?
CS: I try to make sure that academics ALWAYS come first! If you’re not eligible, you can’t participate in your sport. Although I want to go pro, I want to get my degree and have a job that I enjoy in the future. It can be hard at times, but I feel like there is a reason we are called student athletes: we are students first!
HC: What are your recent accomplishments on the track?
CS: Indoor season I PR’ed (personal record-ed)! And made it to finals at Big Ten. I got fifth in the 60 meter dash and got my team five points. I am definitely stronger and faster than I was in high school. As we are approaching the outdoor season, I hope to PR outdoors and help my team get the 4×100 meter relay to Nationals.
HC: What is your favorite part about your sport?
CS: I personally love the relays. I love the fact that you have to get the baton to another teammate and use all of your guys’ effort to win. Individual events are good, too. I just love the excitement that comes with relays; you never know what’s going to happen!
HC: What is your least favorite part about your sport?
CS: Besides the conditioning for track, I love everything about it!
HC: Do you ever regret choosing to run track in college?
CS: There are times when I wish I were a regular student because of the workload, traveling, making up work, and still performing well and keeping up your social life. But at the end of the day, I am glad that I chose to run track. I love the sport, school is being paid for, and I am never bored!
HC: What are your goals for the future with regards to track?
CS: I plan on going pro my senior year after I graduate from The Ohio State University!
HC: What are your future goals, academically or career-oriented?
CS: I plan on using my degree to go into criminal profiling.
HC: What is your favorite thing about OSU?
CS: I love the campus, the athletics, basically everything besides the weather! But I love the school; they take care of all of their students and with the programs and everything that you have available here, you have no reason to fail!
HC: Are you involved in anything else on campus?
CS: I would love to get involved, but the problem is that I really don’t have the time to.
HC: What is your favorite spot to hang out on campus?
CS: I love hanging out at Market Place, because that’s where all the athletes tend to be, but eating-wise, I love Mirror Lake and the Union!
HC: What is your song of the moment?
CS: Probably…(don’t judge me!)…“Never Say Never” by Justin Bieber ft. Jaden Smith. I love the song and it lets me know that nothing is impossible. I just have to trust and believe in myself.
HC: What is one fun fact about yourself?
CS: Hmm, there’s a lot, but one is that my passions are ballet and tap. Before track even came along, I danced for eight years and I loved it! But I got sick and went to a private school for high school, so my mom couldn’t pay for Ballet Met and school, so I stopped doing it. But if I had the chance to do it again, I would. Forget about track!
HC: What quote do you live by?
CS: Live life to the fullest, love with all your heart, laugh as much as possible. Life is too short to stress and worry about the small stuff, it’s important to be happy so laugh and smile! You’re living! And do your best at anything you do—if you do things half-way, your results will be half-way!
HC: Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen?
CS: TIME MANAGEMENT IS EVERYTHING! Academics first, fun later. Don’t forget that!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OSU chapter.
