Less than three months ago, Stephanie Willets was training for another season of mid-distance races for the Ohio women's track and field team. Today, she is working for Papa John's.
Her drastic life change is a result of God pulling her in other directions, she said.
I'm really feeling pointed in a lot of ways
and a lot of it is because I've allowed God to really show me where he wants me to be and where he doesn't want me to be said Willets, a sophomore physical education and community health major. I know it's definitely difficult for people to understand.
Her coaches and teammates, including Willets' fellow mid-distance runner Melissa Gedeon, were among those who did not immediately understand her decision to leave both the team and an athletic scholarship.
Last year we became best friends
Gedeon said. Everything we did was together. This year
it's kind of hard
because at practice it's like I don't have my little buddy to run with.
Willets was seen as a leader on the team, despite her youth, said Ohio men's and women's track and field coach Clay Calkins.
Athletes looked up to Steph because of her work ethic
he said. She's definitely going to be missed.
Willets' decision to leave the team hinged on her faith as a Christian, and the fact that God's ultimate purpose for her on the team - to witness to her teammates and provide a positive Christian image - had been fulfilled, she said.
Now, Willets counts among her activities jobs at Papa John's and Boyd Dining Hall, as well as a managerial position with the Ohio women's lacrosse team.
I'm getting to do so much more of the stuff that I feel God really wants me to do
Willets said. I am busy
but I feel like
if I wasn't so busy
I wouldn't be relying on God as much as I am.
Willets also leads a track Bible study and is active in an Athletes in Action Bible study.
God has just taught me so much through this
