Dear Phoenix Club Member,
Thank you for supporting Elon Athletics. My name is Maria Ahm, and I am a senior on the Cross Country/Track & Field team from Denmark. I am majoring in psychology. Being a student-athlete at Elon University is something special. I am excited to share some of my journey at Elon with you and to let you know how thankful I am to get an opportunity like this. It would not have been possible without your support!
Receiving a full athletic scholarship has been a game-changer for me. The financial aid I receive is the reason why I can attend this university. My dedication to the sport I love, long distance running, has paid off several times throughout my years Elon. We as a team have won the CAA Conference in Cross Country and Track & Field back-to-back times, and I have won individual titles in both events. In 2021 and 2022, I was the recipient of the S.H. Basnight Award “Outstanding Female Athlete” award. These accomplishments motivate me to continue working when the journey gets rough. This year was not without challenges as an injury and surgery kept me from competing in the Cross Country season. It was hard not being able to help my team to win the CAA Championship and not getting a chance to defend my individual CAA title. However, this season made me stronger both mentally and physically. I realized more than ever how great of a support system we have in the athletic department at Elon. The support helped me to build a stronger foundation and prepare me for the upcoming outdoor track season. I cannot wait to be fully back on the track!
Being a student-athlete is unique as it has allowed me to focus on my sport and academics at the same time. Throughout my years at Elon, I have taken many interesting classes, accomplished service learning at an elementary school in Burlington, and I am doing research in psychology with a professor. My passion for sport also comes to show in my research project, where we are studying how organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) influences sport performance. It has been powerful to work together with a professor, to study, and take ownership of something I am passionate about. I know and am appreciative of how this opportunity will benefit me in my future ambitions after graduating in Spring 2023.
After Elon, I plan to move back home to Denmark. I will continue studying and earn a master’s degree in psychology. Furthermore, I will continue to pursue my biggest athletic goal of competing in long-distance running in the Olympics. Elon has provided me with an incredible foundation to continue to grow and succeed in the future. I want to thank you for your gratitude and for helping student-athletes like me in pursuing our dreams and working towards our greatest potential. Thank you for being a part of making this possible.
Go Phoenix!
Maria Ahm