By Henry Smith & Sebastian Beltran – Advocate Editors

Jonathan Law Class of 2025 graduate Cam Upchurch is finishing his freshman year at Monmouth University, where he is studying Economics with a concentration in Finance and competing in track.

Continuing track in college was an easy decision for Upchurch after the success he had during his senior year of high school.

“I decided to do track in college after I had a few very good meets and broke the school record,” Upchurch said. “I wanted to continue doing athletics in college because I knew I’d miss it.”

Upchurch has been balancing his academics and athletics has been able to manage the workload that comes with being both a Finance student and a Division I athlete.

“Balancing my major’s workload and track isn’t difficult,” Upchurch said. “I don’t have classes on Fridays and weekends when meets usually are.”

Between classes, practices, team meetings, workouts, and studying, and maintaining a consistent schedule every day, Upchurch has learned time management at Monmouth.

“The hardest part of adjusting to college student athlete responsibilities is time management and planning around practices, lifts, classes, and team meetings,” Upchurch said. 

Upchurch has enjoyed his time at Monmouth University, but he still misses his hometown and his friends.

“I miss most seeing my hometown friends in school every day and home-cooked meals with family,” Upchurch said.