Nikki Garns ‘18, has been breaking school records right and left on the track. Recently, she broke the school record for 300 meters indoors by finishing in 6th place (43.77) and set a facility record (10:02.74) at the Kerr-Pegula Field Complex with her other teammates (Kate Taggart, Rebekah White, and Joanna Friesen) for the 4×800 relay. Additionally, she has qualified for NCCAA Nationals by finishing 3rd in the 800 meters which was a three second indoor personal record. Patrick Hager, head men’s and women’s track and field coach, said, “I know that when Nikki gets the baton she’s going to do everything she can to put them in the best position and I don’t think anybody doubts that when they’re in a relay with Nikki.”
When Garns first settled on coming to Houghton, she had decided to play soccer because the women’s program is very strong and didn’t actually plan on running college track. After being contacted by the head track and field coach at the time, Garns was convinced that she could compete in both sports. Hager knew that Garns would be an “immediate impact type of person” as a freshman. Last year, she was the 1st Empire 8 individual champion indoor or outdoor, 2nd in the 800 meters, set an outdoor school record by taking 4th in the 4×8, was a member of the 4×200 meters relay team that set a facility record, and was part of the relay team that took 4th last year at NCCAA women’s track national meet.
She has been having quite the success in soccer as well. The women’s soccer teamed ended their 2015 season (16-6-2) champions of the NCCAA women’s soccer national tournament in Florida. “Nikki provides versatility, for the women’s soccer team with her ability to play well at several positions,” said head women’s soccer coach, David Lewis. “She is a team oriented player who I have great respect for.” Nikki has great running ability which has built up her stamina, strength and allows her to play many different positions in soccer successfully. “She is talented and she works hard, but it’s her toughness that sets her apart” said Hager. Garns has a “mental fortitude” that allows her to be tougher than everybody else on the track and on the soccer field. On relay teams she’s usually the anchor because she does not like to lose and is very consistent. “I admire her collected demeanor during practices and before races and it has been a challenge to me as an athlete to push beyond my limits” said Rebekah White ‘18. “It is a privilege to train and compete with Nikki and I truly believe that it has made me a stronger athlete.”
Garns serves as the team chaplain for the men’s and women’s track team. She organizes team devotionals on Fridays. “Her love for Christ is evident in all her interactions with her teammates and competitors. She is always encouraging and supportive of her teammates, especially on days when our confidence has been shaken” said White. Lewis said, “Nikki embraces life with an infectious enthusiasm. She has strong interpersonal relationship skills and she desires to serve others as an outgrowth of her Christian faith.”
Garns is a theology and Bible major who has a sports ministry concentration and a business administration minor. “I would love to work at a summer camp basically as a director, event coordinator, any leadership type role” said Garns. In summers past she has worked at camps in different roles and she is looking forward to her internship at a camp for this summer since it is more related to what she wants to do after college.