ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
Kicking off the spotlight series from the women's track and field team is the Elk River, Minnesota native,
Lydia Carr. Carr is a three-time NSIC All-Academic distance runner majoring in Sport Management at CSP. A two-sport athlete at Concordia (also a part of the cross-country team), she has competed in races year-round for the Golden Bears since 2016. Her track and field accomplishments include 31 top-ten finishes and 12 top-five finishes.
Carr competed in a variety of long-distance races throughout her career and went through a stretch in 2018 when she set a personal record at four straight meets. She ran her best 800m time (2:35.81) at the Stout Open, followed by a PR in the 1000m the following week with a time of 3:18.66. The next two meets included career best times in the one mile (5:30.82) and the 3000 (10:57.47). She was also a part of the Distance Medley Relay team that took first place with a time of 13:16.31. On the outdoor track, Carr's personal records are as follows: 1500m (5:19.25), 10,000 (40:07.35), and the 3000S (11:53.86).
During Carr's senior indoor season, she ran in ten races for the Golden Bears and improved her 5000m record at the SDSU DII Invitational with a time of 19:33.61. Her top finish was with the DMR team as they crossed the finish line in 13:18.07 to take second place at the Ted Nelson Classic.
Head Coach Sam Johnson on Lydia Carr:
"Lydia contributed stabilizing performances and leadership to a surging women's cross-country team in the fall that had its best season in over a decade. Her contributions on our leadership council proved to be of vital importance as she provided a voice for emotional and psychological support for her teammates."
LYDIA CARR – IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
LC: I started running cross country and track when I was in 8th grade. One of my best friends at the time convinced me!
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
LC: I chose to attend Concordia because of the smaller school and tight knit atmosphere. I also loved all of the girls I met from the team who were all very welcoming and fun-loving.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
LC: Oh gosh… I would say my favorite compilation of memories comes from all of my long runs with the girls. These are times where I've gotten to know people better, heard their stories, and really connected with them. I don't think anything will ever be able to replace that.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
LC: I will definitely miss my team and coaches the most. Seeing them literally every day, at my worst and at my best, I think is the hardest thing I have to leave behind.
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
LC: Obviously, trying to find a job! I am unsure at this point as to what exactly I am going to do, but hopefully something comes up that I can see myself doing for many years.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
LC: I try no to think too much about the future. God's got a plan for me and whether that's what I see myself doing after graduation or something completely different is all up to Him.
CSP: Who is a staff member or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
LC: Obviously all of my coaches, JB, Buns, Peeps, and Sam. They've all left an imprint on me one way or another and have really given me all I could ever ask for as an athlete.
As for faculty, Dr. Huberty has definitely left a mark. I wish I would have been able to say goodbye or thank her for all her hard work she does for so many students. She really helped me figure out what I want to do and how to get there, and I couldn't thank her enough.
CSP: Who is your role model?
LC: My role models are both of my parents, Chris and Tanya. They've always taught me to continuously work hard and persevere through tough times. I would not be where I am today without both of their support.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
LC: I've learned so much from being apart of the cross country/track team. Learning to push through pain like never before, how to be mentally stronger, being solution oriented (from JB 😊). I don't think I could fit all of the lessons on this page, but every single thing I learned makes up a piece of who I've become.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
LC: Freshman, time flies by. Don't take any moment, race, competition, for granted because it could be taken from you at any time… Literally. Also, be kind and welcoming to your teammates. You never know who's feeling left out, lost, or really struggling.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
LC: I admire Emma Lero from the Softball team. I had the opportunity to intern with Emma this past year and her hard work and determination does not shy away. I'm sure this reflects in her sport as well! I would have loved to come watch her and the team play this year.
CSP: Do you have a final personalized message you'd like to share with cspbears.com readers?
LC: I'm very thankful for all of the memories CSP has brought me and all of the lifelong friends I have made throughout all of my time here. It's heartbreaking to have our time cut short, but that doesn't change the fact of how proud I am to be/have been a Golden Bear.
