Former Villanova track star brings veteran experience to this young Cougars cross country squad

Of the nine women on Azusa Pacific’s cross country team this year, six of them are lower-classmen. Their inexperience has certainly shown this season as the Cougars have failed to finish in the upper half of the standings in all three of their races. However, if there is one thing that has been consistent for APU, it has been the running of Sammy Bockoven.

This is Bockoven’s first year at APU after she completed her undergraduate education at Villanova University. After an excellent track career as a member of the Wildcats, Bockoven decided that she wanted to earn her master’s degree in public health while continuing to build her resume within track. However, she wanted to escape the stressful environment at Villanova.

“I knew I wanted to escape the high pressured environment that Villanova offered me, despite how much I enjoyed my time there,” she said. “But I wasn’t ready to stop running and I wanted to compete for my fifth year.”

A friend and former track star for APU, Sarah MacIntosh, introduced her to the school’s program. It immediately met her most core requirements, as she looked to compete for a Division II school that was constructed through Christian higher education.

However, when looking back at her journey through track, the sport was not something that was ingrained throughout her childhood. Growing up in Hudson, Ohio, Bockoven played soccer before high school. Heading into Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, she was planning on being a part of their soccer program, but the soccer coach was against the idea, noting that the track and field program was superior.

Running became an immediate passion for Bockoven. She was a natural from the beginning. Bockoven was a standout freshman, and her junior year she set the state record in the 16k for Division II. Nevertheless, her high school athletic experience was not filled with ease. She was tested with one of the most difficult moments in her life when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease her sophomore year.

“My day consisted of just laying in bed. It was the first time I even had a suspicion of the disease, so it was really difficult,” Bockoven said. “But I learned how to navigate my illness and I eventually felt confident in my own body. I began to feel like myself.”

Through determination and willpower, Bockoven eventually took the steps towards becoming the captain of her high school squad, which led her to be scouted by several prominent collegiate track programs. After strong consideration, Bockoven committed to Villanova’s prestigious program.

Villanova’s track and field, a Division I program, is ranked 60th in the entire nation according to NCSA. Bockoven’s freshman year started off as well as it could have, with her team placing either first or second in the initial three invitationals of the season. On top of this, Bockoven won the 1000 meter race at the Jack Pyrah Invitational after a 2:55.88 finish, which was the first race of her collegiate career.

Unfortunately, she was slowed down her sophomore season after surgery on her hip. For any competitor, it is hard to have to sit on the sidelines and heal the wound, whether minor or major. For hip surgery, she was forced to miss the majority of her second season, and she described it as one of the hardest moments of her life.

“Coming back from that surgery was a long and difficult process. It was incredibly tough to get back into the shape I wanted to be in,” said Bockoven. “But coaches at Villanova taught me the importance of confidence and setting expectations for ourselves, which definitely helped me through the healing process.”

Stepping back on to the track, Bockoven quickly found her groove again and would ultimately become a team leader during her junior and senior years. Her love for track was rejuvenated, and she was faced with a difficult decision following her senior year.

Along with questioning whether to get a Master’s degree in the first place, she also wondered if she would be able to compete on the track for another season. Looking for a change in scenery, she was attracted to what APU provided and got in contact with Preston Grey, the Cougars’ cross country head coach and associate head coach of track and field.

“It’s been a really great experience,” said Bockoven. “The training has been great and is very similar to what I experienced in Villanova. I have loved the team dynamic and the prayer sessions before and after every race. It’s just been great.”

Bockoven’s immediate reaction to APU was the closeness of the men’s and women’s teams. She was used to the men and women essentially being different programs rather than a collective unit. In return, this created a different energy than she was used to. 

“Compared to my previous school it’s been far less stressful, which has been such a positive thing for me,” she said. “It has allowed me to focus further on my schooling now that I’m taking grad classes. It hasn’t been a 100 percent focus on running, and being here has allowed me to have other interests.”

Although Bockoven is anxiously waiting for the track and field season to start, she has been a godsend for APU during this cross country season. During the Cougar Challenge on Friday, Sept. 13, she finished third out of the 75 runners in the women’s 6k race with a time of 21:17.0, which was enough for her to earn the PacWest Runner of the Week title. Bockoven has also been the top finisher in every race for the Cougars so far this season.

Despite the success seen on the track, Bockoven is also looking forward to what comes next in her life. Her master’s degree in public health has a concentration in international health and emergency response. Bockoven has a deep passion for conducting health operations in countries where little is available.

Bockoven worked in Mongolia over the summer for Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian organization that provides aid for individuals who don’t have sufficient needs. She participated in a chapter called the Children’s Heart Project, which sought to provide this aid for children who need life-saving operations. Not only is she fulfilling her purpose through this work, but she has also learned to love the country and has made many close friends.

“My dad has been going there for 10 years and has worked closely with Samaritan’s Purse. So in many ways, he was the reason I became so attached to the country,” said Bockoven. “I just love it there. My goal is to, at some point, head back to Mongolia and become the manager of that particular branch.”

Nevertheless, if there is one thing that is quite clear from her story, faith has been at the core of it all. Despite all the hardships she has faced on the track, she has learned that it all was meant to turn her into a stronger individual, and to commit to the daunting tasks and missions that are far bigger than collegiate sports. 

“I am going to miss track season when this is all over. But I am a firm believer that God has a plan, especially when experiencing some sort of suffering,” Bockoven said, “Looking back at my hip surgery if that never happened I would have never considered APU for a fifth year. So when this portion of my life is over, I know God will lead me on His path, which I am trusting in.”