Written by Jordan Smith '15
BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin Wallace University senior cross country and track and field standout Lauren Hutka (North Ridgeville/ Grafton Midview) is ending a solid collegiate cross country and track career that she has enjoyed a great deal and looking forward to starting another chapter in her life.
"I've loved being part of Baldwin Wallace athletics," said Hutka, who finished 17th at the 2014 Ohio Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet at BW's Finnie Stadium on April 26. "I've made some of my best friends during the past four years through running. Collegiate athletics has taught me so much and prepared me well for the future. I mostly have my coaches, teammates and the BW Community to thank for an amzing experience these last four years.
The fourth year competitor who carries a 3.617 grade point average in biology and chemistry has enjoyed running for the Yellow Jackets. In addition, last weekend, she presented a research project at last weekend's BW Ovation/ Honors Day Celebratiuon on campus.
"It was a priviledge to present a research project at Ovation," said Hutka, who will graduate on May 11. "After graduation, I plan to go to medical school. But first, I plan to take a year off and work in research or at a pharmacy again and volunteer."
Hutka also enjoys her school work just as much.
"It's [her major, belonging to organizations on campus and school work in general] a great way to learn about the different career opportunities in the medical field," said Hutka. "Being involved both on and off campus has given me a variety of experiences that have been very beneficial, especially the Pre-Med Society.
"The clubs are professional organizations that serves to inform students about the pre-physical therapy and exercise science majors and other pre-med professions," said Hutka. "They hope to equip students with assessment skills necessary to be successful in their particular fields. At BW, students are offered several opportunities related to their career paths."
One of the off-campus opportunities that Hutka has enjoyed was volunteering with MedWish. MedWish was founded by Dr. Lee Ponsky in 1993 and it is based in Cleveland. MedWish is a not-for-profit organization committed to repurposing medical supplies equipment discarded by the healthcare industry with the objectives of providing humanitarian aid in developing countries to save lives and reducing waste to save our environment.
"It feels good to help and provide people in other countries with medical supplies that they don't have available to them," said Hutka with a big smile.
MedWish has a five-step process which involves recovering, sorting, vetting, distributing and saving lives. MedWish recovers medical supplies from several health systems that would otherwise be discarded. The usable medical surplus is still safe to use. It is typically discarded because of insurance regulations, inventory and renovations.
MedWish receives supplies in the distribution center and sorts all incoming medical supplies donations. Potential recipients have to fill out an on-line application process to request medical aid. MedWish then creates a customized order based on a needs assessment. They fulfill orders of all sizes and work with recipients to help these shipments reach their destination. The medical supplies that they send promote healthier communities. Since these items do not end up in landfills, they are helping to keep the planet healthier as well.
"I volunteered at MedWish a few times over the years," said Hutka, who had season-bests this spring of 2:57.65 in the 800-meter run, 5:20.26 in the 1500 meters, 19:37.73 in the 5000 metetrs and her 44:04.36 at the OAC Championship Meet. "The experience is rewarding because we are helping others who are in need of medical supplies while also keeping the environment clean.
MedWish works with several partners to recover medical supplies that hospitals can no longer use. MedWish has recovered more than three-million pounds of medical supplies from more thant 70 hospitals in the United States. Using the surplus that they recover, MedWish matches the inventory to the needs in the world by partnering with domestic and international partners to make sure that get what they need.
Hutka has learned a lot from her experience of volunteering with MedWish.
"I learned the importance of volunteering and making a difference," said Hutka, who is an Academic All-OAC choice in both cross country and track and a member of the Chi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and a Jacket Scholar. "Working with a company like MedWish that helps others is a satisfying experience."
During her four seasions in the Brown & Gold, Hutka had a solid cross country and track and field experience.
This fall, she placed 106th at the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Cross Country Championships with a time of 28:17.21 and was 112th at the OAC Championship Meet in 28:21.0. During the indoor track season, she recorded not only a team-best, but a career-best of 3:32.62 in the 1000-meter run. She also ran a season-best of 11:35.78 in the 3000-meter run. This spring, Hutka helped the Yellow Jackets place third at the All-Ohio Meet and a second place finish at the OAC Championship Meet.
"Lauren is an outstanding young woman who has her priorities absolutely in the right place," said veteran Yellow Jacket Head Coach Dr. Bill Taraschke, who has led Yellow Jacket teams to more than 40 OAC titles in his 30 years at the University. "She is a competitor for sure and knows her ability.
"For four years, Lauren worked hard, competed and had a solid Division III career," continued Taraschke. "And she never took her eye off of her long-term goals. She was an outstanding teammate and team-leader who was very involved both on and off-campus. She learned how to balance a number of things that included school, cross country and track, extracurricular activities and clubs and somehow found a way to work too. That is a great Division III-type experience."
In addition to her extra-curricular activities, Hutka has been involved in other off-field activities. She currently works at the Lou Higgins Center in the recreation department. She has tutored other students in physics and biology and is the newsletter editor for the BW Pre-Med Society.
Hutka also has worked as a pharmacy technician at the local Giant Eagle grocery chain store in Berea.
"The experience I have gained as a pharmacy technician is invaluable," said Hutka. "In the future, I would like to work as a pharmacy technician or at a hospital or conduct my own medical research."
Hutka has completed her four-year athletics career at BW. But continue to expect to hear great things about Lauren Hutka in the future.
FOR MORE BW SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bwyellowjackets.com and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.
