FEATURE: Prideful Ferris State Cross Country Standout Whitney Farrell Enjoying Successful FSU Experience

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Whitney Farrell has no regrets about her year-round training commitment to success in cross country and track and field at Ferris State.

"I want to look back on my time here with no regrets," Farrell said. "So, in this last season, I plan to fully embrace the hard workouts, tough races, and 8 a.m. long runs, knowing that one day I'll wish I could do it all again."

That commitment paid off for the Bulldog standout, who knows it can take a no-pain-no-gain approach to being at her best, which includes record-breaking performances.

During a college career, the memories can stack up.

"I've had so many great experiences, and I'm proud to be part of the Ferris cross country and track program," said Farrell, a senior from Freeland, who graduated with the Class of 2022. "With the guidance of my coaches and the support of my teammates, I was able to break the school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase."

Being relatively new to the unique and challenging event made it even more special.

"That made it even more special because it was my first time running the event. I'm really glad that I trusted my coach, and that he believed in me enough to give it a shot," she said. "Now, I can't imagine not running the steeplechase, and I look forward to racing it each spring during the outdoor season."

Farrell earned runner-up honors with a school-record performance and NCAA D2 qualifying time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, with a time of 10:48.79, at the annual Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State in Allendale during the spring outdoor track and field season.

Farrell was ready to carry momentum from a positive spring season into the fall cross country season. For this Bulldog, that means getting an early start on fall training – a very early start.

"We start training for cross country at the end of May, and summer running is often the most challenging part, mainly because we're training alone, without our teammates," she said. "Whether it's a recovery run or a hard workout, I'm always reminded, once I return to campus, how much easier and more enjoyable running is with my team."

Gearing up for cross country season is the beginning of essentially three seasons for running athletes.

"Cross country season typically ends in early November, and after that, we get a two-week break before we train for indoor track," Farrell said. "While two weeks may not seem like much, I usually start to feel the itch to run again by the end. Since we rarely get extended time off, I often use that break to go on walks instead of runs."

From there, the stage is set for the indoor track and field season.

"Once indoor track begins, we train through the end of the school year," Farrell said. "There's only about a two-day break between indoor and outdoor track, as we transition straight into the outdoor season. After outdoor track wraps up in early May, we take about two weeks off, and then it's time to prepare for cross country."

One might say that running, as a sport, is in Farrell's blood.

"My mom has always been a big runner; she would go on runs regularly and has completed a few half marathons and full marathons," she said. "I did Girls on the Run in elementary school, which I remember enjoying, but running was more of a social activity for me than something I took seriously."

Running wasn't her only love. In fact, Farrell was unsure at what point she might pursue at the college level.

"For a long time, I thought I would play basketball in college," she said. "I'm not sure if I was good enough, but until the end of my sophomore year of high school, that was my goal."

But a world-changing event affected her future choices.

"Then COVID hit, and all organized sports were put on hold. Running became one of the few things I could still do to stay active and in shape," Farrell said. "I started running every day during quarantine, and honestly, it became the highlight of my day. When I returned for my junior year, I began to take running more seriously and saw the potential to pursue it at the college level."

Her choice also helped shape her high school athletic experience.

"Looking back on high school, it feels like it was so long ago," Farrell said. "One of my high school highlights was during my junior year when our team won the MITCA (Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association) Team State Championship. We didn't go into the meet expecting that outcome, but I think we definitely exceeded our expectations."

There's more.

"Another moment I'm proud of was earning all-state honors in cross country my senior year. That achievement means a lot to me because, as a freshman, it wasn't something I ever imagined I could accomplish. It was a great way to finish my high school cross country career."

A multi-sport athlete in high school, Farrell competed in basketball, cross country and track and field. She was a member of a state runner-up basketball team in 2019, earned all-state honors in cross country and track and field, and was an all-conference basketball player.

Those are among the many proud achievements that allow her star to glow in front of her most influential figures.

"I really look up to my parents; they've played a huge role in helping me get to where I am today," Farrell said. "They've always supported me and made it possible for me to pursue the things I love. One thing they always told my siblings and me was that it didn't matter if we were the best or worst on the field or course as long as we gave our best effort and worked hard, that's all they ever asked for."

Balancing life as a student-athlete, the College of Engineering Technology student has a sharp focus on her Architecture major.

"I wasn't really sure what I wanted to study until the middle of my senior year of high school," Farrell said. "That year, we had to complete a senior project, and I chose to focus on architecture by creating a floor plan for a house. Through that project, I realized how much I enjoyed the design process and bringing ideas to life."

It's not an easy major by any stretch.

"Architecture is definitely challenging, but it's also rewarding to see your ideas take shape," Farrell said. "I'm planning to apply to graduate programs to earn my master's degree, and eventually, I hope to take the ARE (Architect Registration Examination) to become a licensed architect."

The Bulldogs will compete in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Caledonia, at Davenport University.