In the shadow of Cleveland, Ohio, tucked away in the cornfields, lies a small town and one of the nation’s premier academic institutions, Oberlin College. But you already knew that. What you didn’t know was that the cross country and track and field teams at this small liberal arts college refused to let a pandemic stop them. Like many, they saw their plans for 2020 crumble before their eyes. But instead of wallowing, they started working. Working out, working on themselves, but above all else,...

When College second-years Lucca Abele, Anna Scott, Phoebe von Conta, and Maggie Allen are together, they often cannot hold a conversation without it eventually dissolving into laughter. In addition to being teammates on the cross country and track and field teams, the four live together, have overlapping academic interests, and take many of the same classes; all of which have fostered deep friendships that shape many aspects of their Oberlin lives. The four initially met as first-years during cross country preseason, which required them to be on campus a month before orientation. Allen and von Conta both agreed that they remembered Abele because she is vegan and from Vermont. Scott was more reserved her fir...

For many at Oberlin, being a member of the Oberlin Student Cooperative Association is a central part of their college experience. OSCA provides a quirky and affordable community, leadership opportunities, and environmentally-wise and healthy food options for nearly one-quarter of the student body. Because of the nature of these completely student-run dining and housing facilities, being a member is a time commitment that consists of cooking and crew shifts or other managerial duties, which can conflict with athletic practices and games. However, for a small group of students, being a varsity athlete and a part of OSCA are not seen as mutually exclusive activities, providing unique communities and responsibilities.  ...

College junior and cross country runner Shannon Wargo immediately noticed the look of disappointment and defeat on the faces of her three teammates who finished before her when she reached the finish line Saturday, Oct. 27, at the North Coast Athletic Conference Championship. Certain that her team would fall short of winning the conference title for the fourth year in a row, Wargo used positive self-talk to keep her spirits up. “It’s not the end of the world,” Wargo told herself...