The sacrifices and commitment that are required to play two college sports can crumble even the most dedicated athlete. But after enduring the year-round training, three knee surgeries and the months of rehab that followed, Kristen Bennett can still be found circling Otterbein’s track and playing on the volleyball court.
Playing both volleyball and track, working at an internship and having a job on top of it has consumed her schedule.
Being a dual-sport athlete is not a common accomplishment. Bennett, however, has made the challenge appear easy, as she has excelled in both sports. This past volleyball season, she was named Second Team All-OAC and earned Academic All-America for her efforts.
In track, Bennett is consistently setting records. This past weekend at the OAC Championships, she set both the school record and the OAC record for long jump. Her jump of 18.925 is good enough to sit her at sixth nationally for long jump this year.
Bennett will compete in Iowa March 9 for the NCAA Championships.
She remains humble about all of her accomplishments and accredits teammates and coaches for her successes. “I really feel blessed to have been surrounded by great teammates and coaches in both volleyball and track. Without their help and support, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish my goals,” Bennett said.
Bennett is passing her volleyball knowledge to younger players in the area, as she coaches a club volleyball team for The Volleyball Academy. “It is the greatest feeling to see improvement from the girls on my volleyball team. I love it when I hear them say, ‘I did it!’ about something they didn’t think they could do,” Bennett said.
She is not only focused on sports, but also has a strong academic drive. “I am graduating a semester early,” she said. “I transferred from Xavier, and a lot of my credits transferred over.”
She also recently got an internship with 10TV News. She was given the chance to be a reporter on a story dealing with lead being found in certain lipstick brands.
“I had to call professionals and ask people on the street what they thought about it. Being behind the scenes of news is a lot different than what you see on TV,” Bennett said.
Her future possesses many opportunities, one of which includes the possibility of a move to Texas. “I love Texas. I have family there. It is a fun atmosphere, and I do not like the cold either,” she said.
Along with the move, she is excited to pursue her career. “I am very excited to begin my professional career and approach it much like my athletic career — not letting anybody outwork me,” Bennett said.
It may be possible to think that Bennett is all work and no play, but she finds the time to be with her friends and do some of her favorite things.
New Zealand is her place of choice to visit. “Every photo I see of New Zealand is absolutely breathtaking, and I would love to see such natural beauty,” Bennett said.
Along with her favorite place to travel, she also loves reading with her friends. Mystery and action books capture her attention the most. During the summers, she can be found reading outside. “I usually read two-three books a week,” Bennett said.
Other than reading, a favorite hobby of hers is staying in shape and being active.
The summer before starting college, Bennett signed herself up for a triathalon with her uncle. “I never felt more accomplished, training for the triathalon and everything on my own.”
It may appear to you after reading this that Bennett appears to be a superwoman, and to many she is. Sophomore education major Liz Palmer, Bennett’s best friend and volleyball teammate, said, “Kristen is a fantastic individual, and I know we can expect even bigger things from her in the future.”
