Everyday Champions is a program that recognizes the complete student-athlete – the student-athlete that makes a difference and makes an impact not only on the field of competition but in the classroom and in the community.

The Everyday Champion exemplifies the characteristics of STAR:

Stewardship

Teamwork

Achievement

Respect

In an attempt to recognize those student-athletes that go above and beyond the call of duty, Oregon State will choose an Everyday Champion each week throughout the school year and highlight their accomplishments.

Ashley Younce (Portland, Ore./Sunset HS) has emerged as the women’s cross country and track team’s No. 1 runner breaking into the all-time top 10 in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. She also received Pac-10 All-Academic Second Team honors for both cross country and track last year. Adding to her collegiate running career, she is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, a Student Alumni Association Member and Finance Chair, part of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, a Beta Gamma Sigma business fraternity member and has volunteered her time to other various community service opportunities. She took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about her running career at OSU and other aspects of her college life.

What has the experience been like for you so far running at a Division I school that just restarted its program?

“The experience has been amazing for so many reasons. It has been greater than I ever expected. With a coach like Kelly, the teammates that I have the opportunity to spend time with daily, the great support here at Oregon State and the amazing support of my family, this experience is truly one that I will never forget. We have just been able to come in here with no expectations, have fun and I have been able to run some huge pr's, times I never imagined I would ever run, all at the same time. I am so excited for the future of this program and what the rest of this year has in store.” 

What does it mean to you to hold school records and to be the No. 1 runner on the team?

“Well I never thought that I would actually be able to tap into the top ten lists here at OSU, so that is definitely cool. It is also nice to be running some pr's and help contribute to my team because coming into this I never thought I would even make it into the top seven. But really the times and placements on the team mean nothing to me compared to the experience I am having and the whole team atmosphere that I love. There is such great support among one another, and it is just great to see people through all of their emotions daily at practice, races, etc. I know that when I look back on this I will probably be proud, but right now I am just having fun and not thinking about all of the objective things.”

You didn't come to Oregon State to run, but why did you choose to come here?

“Well I came here because I actually wanted a change from running, as funny as that sounds. I had decided to not run in college at the end of my senior year because I needed a break and OSU was kind of in my family, my mom and sister both went here. I loved the campus, the proximity to my home, the programs and I was interested in joining a sorority and knew OSU had a good greek system. My two best friends also decided to come here, too, and we all roomed together freshman year, which made the transition to college much smoother!”

What influenced you to join the program?

“A few things. I took a running PAC class spring term of my sophomore year here, and a couple of my friends in the class who I also went to high school with told me we were getting a program the following year and that they had talked to the coach a bit and tried on uniforms. I guess I got a little jealous, and the running class really brought back a bit of my competitive edge. I began to miss the races and figured I'm still running on my own, so this would be a great opportunity that I could at least try. So they told me I should email the coach and apparently he'd seen be running that day and had left a message for himself to find out who I was, so I guess it was just faith. Also, this had always been in the back of my mind because before I left for college my high school coach just said, ‘I hear OSU should be getting a team in a couple of years and it'd be great to see you give it a shot if you're up to it.’  So I guess you could say I took those words to heart and never let them go.”

What do you hope to accomplish this year individually? As a team?

“I don't have too many specific goals right now as I usually like to just see what happens after I put the hard work in. But I do just look forward to improving throughout the year both individually and as a team. It is always nice to set pr's, but that can not always be realistic with the variations in courses. I think our team is ready to make a breakthrough at Pac-10's if we can just all be healthy and believe in ourselves. Our team has a great opportunity with no pressure to show the rest of the Pac-10, the hard work that we have put in. I'd just like to make a positive name for ourselves and make spectators say, ‘Look at those Beavers!’"

What is your favorite Oregon State memory?

“Well I think that is way too broad of a question to ask me since I pretty much love everything here and am involved in so many different things. I could tell you a memory of my sorority and the great friendships I have made, or some of the successes that I have reached that meant a lot to me, but I'll give you one example from running. I would have to say that when I look back on my college career, I will never forget the first season of cross country that I competed in at Oregon State. My competitive edge just came out again that first meet at Pier Park. With all of my family there for support, I could not think of a more memorable start to my collegiate running career. It was like nothing I had ever expected, with the optimism that Kelly shares, it was definitely a happy memory and great positive indicator that this WHOLE experience would be one to never forget.”

What is your favorite part about running?

“I would have to say I have a lot of favorite things that I like about running. To name a few, running is my relaxation, it's my time away when things get too hectic and it just puts me in the best mood. I also love the fact that you can do it anywhere. You don't need special equipment or people to play against; you can run pretty much anywhere and it definitely helps you to explore new places. My two favorite things about running are the quality fun times I get to spend with my teammates/friends/family when we are running together and the feeling you get pretty much after any run, especially races and hard workouts. It's just a sense of accomplishment that can really never be described until you experience it.”

Running isn't your no. 1 priority, since you're in a sorority and also excel in the classroom. How do you manage everything you do?

“Well I guess you could say that I really like to stay pretty busy; I can get bored really easily. I just love having a balanced life and different alternatives to turn to when I get too sick of one thing. Running has given me a chance to meet new people, set personal records, and so much more. But I also have had the most amazing experiences within my sorority and with the members of it. My sorority gives me a chance to get my mind off of running, which is how I run best - when I don't think about it too much, and I guess you could say I am kind of a nerd. I am one of those people that have to study hard to do well, so I guess it's just been instilled in me from an early age to always work my hardest and whatever comes from that is deserved and should be looked at in a positive manner. My mom is a teacher and has always taught me it is important to work hard in whatever you do, but also be well rounded at the same time.”

What do you hope to do post-college?

“Well once I graduate, I would like to study abroad in Europe since I haven't gotten a chance to in these past four years. I am really interested in Vienna, Austria, and I could add the international option to my business degree. After that I would like to study and earn my CPA, possibly go work for a big four accounting firm to gain experience and then hopefully transfer back to Nike, where I interned at this past summer, in hopes to create a long-term career there because I love the whole corporate culture there and athletic focus. Of course I would like to continue running forever for fun, do a marathon before I turn thirty and be able to run until I am well into my 70s - that would be amazing!”

This is your senior season, despite only being a junior in eligibility. What will you miss most about Oregon State?

“I will miss so much. To name a few things, I will truly miss the atmosphere here at Oregon State and being able to spend day in and day out with the amazing girls that I have lived with in my sorority, practiced with daily and spent time in the classroom with.  I will miss not being able to do everything in sweats and hanging out in the Corvallis ‘bubble.’ But from these past two years, I am really going to miss this whole running experience. From going to practice and seeing coach ALWAYS having a smiling face, to running hard workouts day in and day out with these amazing girls that are some of the most true and honest friends I have ever met.”