Mollie Dahl throws during the Mountain West Conference Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track Championship held on the campus of the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. on May 12, 2012.
Mollie Dahl, a senior thrower on Wyoming’s track and field team, earned Athlete of the Week based on her athletic and academic performances from the weeks previous.
Growing up in Arvada, Colo. and moving to Lander shortly after she graduated high school, Dahl made the decision to pursue the first part of her throwing career at Bethany College. During her time there, she made it into the NAIA Nationals where she saw great success as both a freshman and sophomore.
However, finding that she missed the NCAA division as well as her friends and family, Dahl transferred to Wyoming to compete as a Cowgirl.
“Though Wyoming wasn’t really my first choice, I don’t regret coming here whatsoever,” Dahl said. “I’m very happy with my team as well as my coaches and love all the chances I’ve had since coming here that I wouldn’t have had if I would have stayed at Bethany.”
Since competing at UW, Dahl’s athletic achievements include qualifying for the first round of the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the Outdoor Shot Put with the #5 All Time Performance in UW History. She has also moved to #11 All Time UW History in the Indoor Shot Put event. Dahl was also recorded to have placed 5th and 7th in the MWC Outdoor and Indoor Conference Championships during her first season as a Poke.
It’s easy to see she brings a lot of talent and ambition but she acknowledges her coaches for immensely improving her career and bringing her such a long way.
“I absolutely love my coaches here at Wyoming. Coach Barrett has been remarkable and has taught me so much about throwing and about myself. I knew him prior to coming to Wyoming which was one major incentive that swayed my decision in coming here in the first place. As for coach Berryhill, I don’t think there’s anyone more perfect for the position. He is always so encouraging and creates such a good community amongst our team. I guess if I had to say anything about the coaching staff for the track and field team, I would have to say they’re unbeatable,” she said.
As Dahl goes on to pursue a Master’s degree in Microbiology focusing on animal science, she will concentrate heavily on wrapping up her career having achieved considerable heights.
“My biggest goal that I’d like to accomplish before graduating would be getting back to first rounds in Texas. Obviously I want to make it far in the NCAA finals and I would really love to see myself going all the way to Nationals for throwing.”
Future student athletes could learn a lot from the knowledge she’s gained since choosing to become a Cowgirl.
“If you want to be a student athlete, you have to realize that you’re going to get what you get based on how much effort you’re willing to put in. If there’s no passion for what you’re doing than you’re better of finding something you do have a thirst for. Sometimes things get tough but you find that with anything you do in life. The key is to stick with it and know you’re hard work and effort will pay off in the end.”
