Sheena Ryan

By Jake Grovum
UWRF Sports Information

Some athletes seem to take themselves too seriously; others not seriously at all. Falcon cross country runner Sheena Ryan seems to have found the middle ground. Despite her numerous athletic and academic achievements Ryan shies away from the common athlete descriptions of determined or hard working, as she described herself simply as, "happy."

Hailing from nearby Prescott, Wis., and just one member of a self-proclaimed family of runners, coming to UWRF was an easy choice for Ryan. Ryan cited the location of River Falls to the Twin Cities and her family as just a few of the reasons for her enrollment.

Ryan is also majoring in elementary education, and she is no stranger to academic achievement as she has made the Dean's list multiple times. Aside from her participation in cross country Ryan also stays busy with her involvement as secretary in the Student Advancement Association and she is also a member of Journey House Campus Ministry.

As a member of the Falcon cross country team, Ryan has improved her times and her status on the team every time she competes. "[Sheena] has been with the program for three years and continues to improve," Coach Don Glover said.

Glover couldn't say enough about Ryan's improvement and potential nearing the end of this her junior year. "She ran her best time [at the Tori Neubauer Invitation] last week (26:54) and I expect her to be a top seven runner by next year," Glover continued.

Ryan's goals for the remainder of the cross country are to do her best and keep improving.

Ryan's athletic success has not only been in a UWRF uniform but also as marathon and future triathlon participant. Ryan ran Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minn., during the summer of 2005, an achievement Ryan cited as her most memorable athletic moment ever, and hopes to run again this coming summer, hoping to finish in less than four hours. Ryan also plans on competing in her first triathlon this summer in addition to the marathon.

Aside from Ryan's involvement in cross country, various other organizations on campus, as well as training for marathons and triathlons Ryan, said that the best experiences she will take away from her time at UWRF will be all the people she has met. "Everyone's from all different backgrounds," Ryan explained.  

Ryan is a very motivated individual, her involvement in numerous athletic events and student organizations paints a clear picture, but Ryan's favorite quote seems to show an individual whom doesn't feel limited by the possibility of failure. "What would you attempt if you knew you couldn't fail," Ryan said quoting an anonymous author and continued to say that her inspiration in life is simply to be her best. Ryan also cited her mother, Wanda, as her idol in life. "She is really a well-rounded, selfless person," Ryan said.  

When Ryan takes a break from athletic training, organization involvement, and academic achievement she enjoys listening to all kinds of music, from Christian rock band Thousand Foot Krutch to heavy metal band Slipknot. And even Ryan admits that people who don't know her well might not see her as someone who listens to Slipknot. Ryan also admits she doesn't read much but she enjoys the Bible because she feels it is important. Ryan also admits her favorite movie is The Prince of Egypt saying, "I know it is for little kids, but I like it!"