HELENA – Being a college athlete is a demanding life. Balancing travel, training, competing and school requires a special kind of commitment. But it’s one that Carroll’s track standout Hannah Porch loves.
The former Missoula Big Sky Eagle has already qualified for nationals in the long jump, 4X100-meter relay and 4X400-meter relay. She might be more impressive in the classroom, where she continues to push herself studying to become a nurse.
“I love working with people and I feel real really compassionate for helping other people and just being involved in that kind of care,” said Porch. “Carroll specifically has the most amazing professors. So I feel extremely blessed to be able to go to school here. And I think I’ll be a well rounded nurse when I leave here next year.”
That natural drive to help others doesn’t end at the hospital.
“After coming here I just felt so welcomed by the team,” said the junior. “We had some really good upperclassman girls my freshman year and that really made me feel welcomed here. It made me want to go out for the program. Now I’m one of the upperclassman, so I get to help along with our younger girls and try to make them feel the same way I did.”
Another challenge for the junior, but one she is not backing away from.
“Unfortunately I have 12 hour clinicals on Tuesdays, which is our hard track practice day,” said Hannah. “So I end up making up the hard workout on Wednesday or trying to get in the gym at eight o’clock at night to try and make up my track workout. Then I’m usually in the library until 11 o’clock every night. I know, it’s really busy, but I like being busy actually. I like being able to go to track practice, go to class and then continually learn and get better as an athlete.”
You might not believe it, but even with that schedule she does find some time to sleep.
“I average about six hours a night, which I feel, that’s good. Sometimes, I sleep in on Thursday’s,” laughed the track star. “That’s my sleep in day. But I love what I’m doing.”
That’s pretty easy to see.
