Defensive lineman Matthew Runyon ’22 comes from Brownsburg High school in Brownsburg, Indiana, where he earned two varsity letters in football. Runyon is majoring in rhetoric and is a brother of Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Linebacker Joshua Myers ’22 came from Middleton, Indiana. He is majoring in psychology and planning to become a recreational therapist and work with disabled veterans after graduating. Myers is also a nationally certified EMT.
Linebacker Noah Kent ’25 comes from Cambridge Christian High School in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. Kent is majoring in rhetoric and minoring in business and psychology.
Q: What is your favorite class?
Runyon: My favorite class at Wabash is a tie between PSC-340 International Political Economy and RHE-220 Persuasion.
Myers: Psychology.
Kent: My favorite class this past semester has been Psychology 101 with Professor Neil Schmitzer-Torbert.
Q: In your time at Wabash, what is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
R: I was diagnosed with a learning disability in the second semester of my junior year. Wabash is challenging but adding that on top of it makes it more difficult. Almost like being on a boat without a paddle and there’s a giant hole in the boat. I thank all of my professors and friends for helping me during that and helping me grow as a Wabash Man.
M: The biggest obstacle I’ve had is learning how to effectively use failure. This place academically and athletically is one of the hardest in the country so falling short is something that you experience a lot as an underclassman. Learning how to use failure to better yourself, correct mistakes you’ve made, and create character that does not allow for them to be repeated has been the most difficult process.
N: I have been recovering from major knee surgery I had in January. I have not been able to participate in the sport that I love, so the obstacle I have had to fight to overcome is developing friendships with my teammates on the sidelines. Joining the football team in the fall as an injured athlete was tough, but I realized that it opened a door for me to create meaningful and intentional friendships with people outside the lines.
Q: How old were you when you started playing football? And what advice would you give your younger self?
R: I started playing football when I was four. Stay positive, learn from others, smile more often, and don't let the opportunity slip away.
M: I started playing when I was eight years old. I tell myself to truly enjoy the process of achieving your goals. To embrace the grind and to have fun while doing it. As athletes we judge ourselves on wins and losses, but in order to truly enjoy those victories, and to fairly criticize yourself when you lose, you must enjoy what you’re doing and the work you put in every single day.”
K: I started playing football when I was seven. Simply put, I would tell myself this: Noah, you do not have to be perfect. In every moment, walk with the joy and confidence that Jesus is going to do something incredible in you.