"One Last Roar" is a series that will recognize the accomplishments of the senior student-athletes at Mount Holyoke College graduating during the 2020-21 academic year. From now until May, read about our senior student-athletes as they reflect on their careers as members of Lyons Nation. Make sure to check out Mount Holyoke College Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see photos of their top memories with their teammates over the past four years.
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Senior Isabelle Wohlin (Wellesley, Mass.), an Environmental Studies major and Statistics minor who is a track and field student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College, will graduate at the completion of the Spring 2021 semester.
A four-year jumper and hurdler for the indoor and outdoor track and field teams and senior captain, Wohlin qualified for the Division III New England Championships six times in events ranging from hurdles to relays. She also holds the school record in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.41 from her collegiate debut in 2017. Wohlin served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a track and field representative in 2019 and then as the treasurer in 2020.
From Head Mount Holyoke Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, Chris Kibler
"Isabelle has been such an integral part of the track & field team since day one. Before ever meeting Isabelle, I remember being in awe of her work ethic. On cool autumn evenings, I would see her hammering workouts on the track to prepare for the season. Her commitment to her craft and the dedication to work for her goals and the sake of the team has been at the core of our culture and success. Isabelle is the ultimate team player and mentor to every member of the program. Her ability to connect with teammates in all events, and support them both inside and outside of the sport is unmatched. Her actions leave no doubt that she cares about you and the team as a whole. Isabelle's leadership and success catalyzed our resurgence as a NEWMAC and DIII New England contender. She left her mark on each season, including huge team improvements during the 2019 outdoor season, DIII New England Championship qualifying performances each year, numerous MHC top-10 all-time results, and a school record in the 60 m hurdles."
More about Isabelle...
Overall, share a few sentences about your time as a student-athlete at Mount Holyoke College. How has your experience as a student-athlete helped develop you into the person you are today?
My experience as a student-athlete has instilled confidence in me that I never knew I had and has allowed me to grow especially with my relationship with others. Being a student-athlete has taught me resilience and has given me the opportunity to grow and learn from my mistakes. Nothing teaches you patience more than being injured and watching your teammates compete, but it only makes you want to work more to be back on that track or runway! My teammates and coaches have challenged me to be as strong mentally as I am physically and to start each day as if it's a clean slate and I will take that with me into the "real world".
What were some of your favorite memories as a member of your team?
Some of my favorite memories are long days traveling to and from meets, namely Middlebury last January and this past year's New England Division III Championship at Middlebury. The trip to Middlebury is a long one, but the excitement for the meet ahead and enjoying the journey is so special. We might be exhausted after an all-day meet, but it gives everyone the chance to let loose and enjoy themselves, not thinking about the work that lies ahead! When traveling to the Championship meet, we had a day just to support two of our teammates and focus on something other than our own performances. We also got to stay at an old-fashioned inn with a fancy breakfast!
This past March when we learned we had to return home, my teammates and I put together a mini graduation ceremony for our seniors! In a few days we managed to come up with superlatives for all of our team members, send out invitations, and create quite accurate diplomas. Everyone showed up in style ready to talk about our senior teammates and send them out with a bang! We even coordinated our traditional fleece blankets with funny patterns for the graduates and shipped them around the country.
What are your plans following graduation?
Following graduation, I will be starting at National Grid, a utility company, as an Associate Specialist in the Environmental Department. My role encompasses corporate sustainability, environmental compliance, and public policy in gas and electric. I interned in the same department last summer and my job was created out of that experience.
Who have been some of your biggest supporters during your time at Mount Holyoke College? This can be anyone (i.e. family, friends, professors, coaches, etc.)
My biggest supporters have been my mom, my teammates, and my coaches over the years. My mom drove me back and forth to school and came to meets as she could! My teammates have encouraged, supported, and pushed me to be the best version of myself, showing me the confidence they have in me which is sometimes more confidence than I have in myself. My coaches, especially Coach Kibler, have always pulled out the best in me and supported me throughout my journey. I am forever grateful for their encouragement, which has pushed me to be the best person, student, and athlete I can be.
I can't leave out all the professors and staff who I have learned so much from and who have helped guide me to take on courses and projects I didn't know I was capable of. Who knew I would leave Mount Holyoke a Statistics minor without having taken Calculus in high school?
What is your favorite Mount Holyoke tradition?
My favorite Mount Holyoke tradition is Mountain Day! The excitement of no classes and spending the day outdoors climbing Mount Holyoke is unbeatable! After three years of climbing up the trail with friends and teammates, I know what is coming ahead and anticipate the ice cream and different tattoos from the Alumnae Association.
Any words of advice you have for the future student-athletes of Mount Holyoke College?
Be your true self but push yourself to grow and be outside of your comfort zone. Take opportunities that come your way and ride them – you don't know what might come of it and that's a good thing! Don't leave something until your last year – live every season, semester, and year as if it's your last!
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