Meet Our 2021-2022 Officers
The Executive Committee
Evan Porter
President of the Running Club
Senior, Biology/Pre-Med
Evan is the big honcho in charge; he coordinates the officers to do his evil bidding, spreads pro-running club propaganda via weekly newsletters, and gives announcements at practice laced with secret messages and hidden instructions for his followers. Despite many attempts to prevent his regime, Evan has successfully crushed all resistance and risen to the ultimate power as Run Club President and secret puppet master of the university. Long past his prime, Evan likes to reminisce about his former running glory and pretend that he’s faster than he was in middle school. Evan would rather be caught dead than to run with a shirt, and firmly holds the mantra “all weather is shirtless weather” dear to his heart. When he’s not contemplating his own mortality or formulating sinister machinations, Evan enjoys playing casual sports, playing the saxophone, nerding out about Dungeons and Dragons, listening to Mongolian throat singing (and other bangers), frolicking in the wilderness, and dying inside while he attempts to weasel his way into medical school.
“The end is nigh. Say your final goodbyes and hug your loved ones for I have achieved my ultimate form. Nothing will stop me now that I hold the fate of Running Club in my hands. Join me, brethren, sistren, and non-gender-conforming-tren in my quest to bring Running Club to its destined greatness; it will be fun, and you’ll make lots of friends along the way.”
Luck Evankovich
Treasurer
Senior, Biology
“College has been a lot of mixed experiences, especially with the pandemic. Running club has always been the thing that gets me through the week. I’m thankful to have everyone in this club because it really has made Columbus feel like home. I can’t wait to see what this new year will bring!”
Want to know more about Luck? Read their running story here.
Caleb Cummings
Vice President of Racing
Junior, Biology and Business
Caleb is the head of the racing committee and is in charge of creating the meet schedule. His favorite event is the 1500 or the mile. Caleb’s hobbies include strength training, watching Netflix, and beating Evan Akers in NASCAR on the game cube.
“To me, running club provides a great mix of both fun and competition. Everyone in the club has differing reasons for participating, from consistent improvement to embracing the social aspect. I think this makes it easy to fit in and make friends because someone will always share your goals. It is also flexible, which has helped when I temporarily have increased academic workloads.”
The Racing Committee
Sarah Strunck
Long Distance Captain
Junior, Chemical Engineering
Sarah is the long distance captain and will be making the training plans for the distance crew this spring and fall. She is beyond excited to get to spend some quality miles with all of the OSURC members this season. Her all-time favorite event is the 4×8 in outdoor track, but she enjoys the change of pace racing the 6k in cross country season. When Sarah isn’t running, she loves adventuring with friends and family, traveling to different places, and baking. This past spring and summer, Sarah has been living the swamp lifestyle while she is on co-op in Louisiana!
“Running has become an essential activity for me in the past few years of my life. Being able to spend time with some of my favorite people doing the activity I love at running club is the escape from stress and academics I look forward to every day. I’m happy to say, running club has made OSU my second home.”
Michael Jorgenson
Mid Distance Captain
Junior, Computer Science
Michael is the captain of the middle distance team during track and also helps long distance captain Sarah during the fall cross country season. His favorite events are the 800, Mile, and Half Marathon. Outside of running, Michael enjoys skiing, hiking, and traveling, and he also plays the piano and the guitar. A fun fact about Michael is that he has a twin sister.
“Running club is the perfect place for me to push myself to improve as a runner, meet new people, and have a great time. It is also a good way to escape from the horrors of school. The flexibility of running club is great because everyone can use it to fit their own goals while having fun together.”
Jessica Wrenn
Sprint Captain
Senior, Theoretical Mathematics and Philosophy
Jess is a co-captain along with Andrew for our sprinters and will be the go-to person for field events. Outside of running club Jess enjoys going to concerts, watching Jeopardy, and eating ice cream. Her favorite event is 400 hurdles, and the pentathlon when a meet actually has it! A fun fact about Jess is that last season, she managed to trip and fall during a 60m dash!
“It’s hard to put into words how much running club means to me. I joined spring semester of my freshman year, and was immediately welcomed; people went out of their way to make sure I was included. On top of meeting my best friends, this club also gives me the opportunity to be competitive and have fun doing it. After high school, I was afraid I’d never be able to run at a track meet again, and I am so glad that I was wrong. I never knew that running track could be so fun. As sprint captain I’m most excited to do my best to keep the running club environment welcoming and fun!”
Andrew Garda
Sprint Captain
Junior, Electrical Engineering
Andrew is the co-captain with Jess for the sprinters. His favorite competitive event is the 400 and 4×400, but also enjoys trying new events like the discus throw and the mile. Outside of running club, Andrew enjoys listening to music, snowboarding, and riding dirt bikes.
“Coming into college I knew I wanted to continue playing sports, but I wasn’t sure what that was going to look like. Running club wasn’t my first choice, but I couldn’t imagine my college career without it. One of my favorite things about the club is the social and competitive balance, and getting to make new friends through both.”
Elizabeth Judy
Race Logistics Manager
Senior, Chemical Engineering
Elizabeth will coordinate carpools and hotels for our cross country and track meets. She enjoys road races such as the half and full marathons and the mile and 3k in track because they are quick and fun. Outside of running, Elizabeth is pursuing a career in the biopharmaceutical industry and recently finished up a co-op with a company in that industry. She also works in a protein purification lab on campus. Elizabeth loves to bake bread, European pastries, and cook tasty and nutritious meals.
“I transferred to OSU after my freshman year and from the welcome week run I felt at home. I have met my best friends here and have formed countless memories during our runs and at fun social events. Running club provides the right combination of competition and team spirit. It lets you take running as serious as you want with no stress or expectations.”
The Social Committee
Matt Gust
Social Chair
Junior, Stats Major and Bio Minor
Matt, along with Paige, oversees the planning of parties, pasta dinners and other social events throughout the school year. His favorite event is the 800. Outside of running club, Matt enjoys participating in community service, anything baseball, hiking, cooking, and reading about conspiracy theories.
“Running club was the first place I made friends outside my dorm at OSU, it’s probably just as social as it is running-centric.”
Paige Archinal
Social Chair
Junior, Industrial Systems Engineering
Paige, along with Matt, plans the social events like parties, banquets, and pasta dinners. Her favorite event is the 400, despite what everyone else in the club would say. She also loves to run the 4×2 when a meet has it, and will occasionally throw shot put. Outside of Running Club her favorite things to do are travel, hang out with friends, and listen to music.
“I almost didn’t join Running Club at all, but I’m really glad I did because I have made some of my best friends and memories through it. I always have something to look forward to, whether it’s a meet, social event, or just hanging out with friends. I can’t imagine college without Running Club :)”
Riley Griffith
Apparel Chair
Junior, Chemical Engineering
Riley is responsible for creating the t-shirts, jerseys, and spirit wear for the club. She is a mid/distance runner and her favorite events are the mile and the 6k. This will be Riley’s second year with the club. Outside of Running Club, Riley also loves to play the clarinet, hike, walk dogs, and cook.
“Running club has provided me with the opportunity to make new friends, challenge myself, and try new things. I love running to see the cows, it reminds me of home, and is worth every stride! The flexibility was also a huge plus and worked out great with everything I had going on academically. If I could go back in time I would tell myself to join the club as a first year!”
Abby Lenz
Social Media Manager
Junior, Middle Childhood Education
Abby updates the social media accounts and the website for the running club. Her favorite events include the 6k in cross country (though she misses the 5k) and the mile in track. She is looking forward to running her first marathon this fall! The way to Abby’s heart is watching The Bachelor and eating Chick-fil-A with her. Outside of running club, Abby enjoys scuba diving, reading, petting cute animals, and hanging out with friends.
“I knew as soon as I decided to come to OSU that I wanted to join running club and I’m so glad that I did. This club has given me some of my best friends and a group I can call my family at school. I look forward to practices everyday and meets because I get to make memories with my favorite people and continue my running career!”