April 13, 2020
By: Nick Skeen, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio—Dakota Frost is an adolescent-young adult history education major as well as a four-year member of both cross country and track at Bluffton University. For indoor track, Dakota ran the 3,000 and 5,000 meters (school record holder) and for outdoor track he ran the 3,000 (school record holder), 5,000 and 10,000 meters (school record holder). He graduated from Hicksville High School in Defiance County. I was able to talk with Dakota about what led him to Bluffton and how he managed being a two-sport athlete.

What drew Dakota to Bluffton was the education program. "I really liked the education program. I wanted to run competitively and other schools I looked at didn't make it seem I would run. The other coaches from those schools made me decide to come to Bluffton," he said.

Dakota did have challenges balancing class and athletics. "At the beginning, it was hard to get the flow of doing both. But, as time went on, it changed to managing time of taking care of myself for track and getting homework done."

Student-athletes learn how to balance class work and their sports. This prepares them for the real world. For Dakota, it taught him patience. "I run a lot of distance and it takes much patience to get to your goal. To be a teacher, it also takes a lot of patience."

Dakota has made many memories during his four years as a student-athlete. His favorite came when he won his first collegiate race. "I have several memories, but winning my first collegiate race, on my mom's birthday, is my favorite. It was at my hometown track and my mom was able to watch me win on her birthday."

Dakota also has advice to give to his younger teammates. "If you are going to choose a path that you consider worth going through and not make bad decisions on the way, be yourself, don't let anyone try to hinder you."

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