The Penn State Behrend track and field program has taken the CSAC Conference by storm. Both the men’s and women’s programs fare well at the conference meet each year. In the 2018-19 season, the women’s track and field team will be without one of its four seniors, Ashlyn Carlsson. After lettering a total of seven times in her Penn State Behrend career between indoor track, outdoor track and cross country, Carlsson finds herself in a unique place as a college athlete.

​

In the middle of the summer, Ashlyn was involved in a motorcycle accident that left her shoulder in rough shape, which required surgery. She decided to step away from the track and field program for the 2018-19 season and focus on coming back for a potential redshirt senior season in the 2019-20 season.

​

Returning to track and field seems likely because Carlsson will be graduating in May of 2020, after she fulfills both a degree in nursing as well as certifications in pre-medicine. Her future dream job is as a nurse anesthetist and has gained a great understanding and knowledge that this is the perfect job for her. She credits this to her parents’ experience and guidance in the medical field.

​

Her father Mark is a doctor, while her mother Marcie is a nurse. Both of her parents have played a unique role in helping Carlsson discover her passions in the medical field, and she may someday have both of the certifications her parents have. Running was also a pastime that she picked up from her father and it is one that her father helped her take full advantage of.

​

“My dad was the first one to point out the potential opportunity I could have at Penn State Behrend. My co-worker at the time, Paige Allen, was running at Behrend and breaking all kinds of records. He thought I should check out the school and see what kinds of programs they had to offer and if I could run for Behrend as well,” Carlsson said. After visiting, learning more about the academics and meeting some of the track team members, Carlsson knew Behrend was a place at which she could see herself succeeding.

​

Succeeding is exactly what Carlsson has done, both in her academic and athletic careers. At Knoch Area High School, Ashlyn won a total of eight letters between cross country and track and field. She qualified for the state cross country meet three times and the state track and field meet twice. She was voted female athlete of the year and Student Athlete of the Year for Knoch.

​

At Behrend, Carlsson was named First Team All-CSAC in her sophomore and junior seasons. She was also named to the ECAC President's Honor Roll in her junior track and field season. While these awards and accomplishments are stellar, they only tell a minor part of the impact Carlsson has had for the track and field team.

​

Her favorite part about track is being able to run relays, where she has always excelled. She commented “I think the relays are just the most exciting and also team oriented part of track. Running in the relays allows track and field to turn into more of a team sport, and I really enjoy the opportunity to run with my teammates in the same race.”

​

Carlsson has been a part of several conference champion relay teams and three CSAC Conference Championships. She is a member of the 4x400 indoor record relay team at Behrend and ran in the distance medley relay that qualified for the ECAC meet last indoor track season. Carlsson has competed in a total of nine different events in her time at Behrend, and has helped set records in the 4x200 and 4x100 relays. Over her time at Behrend, she has placed in the CSAC meet in all of those events, which speaks her athletic versatility, but she is more than just a runner and medical student.

​

As a member of the Red Bull Pittsburgh Wings team that represents much of Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, she has found valuable experience and connections as a businesswoman. She has helped Red Bull reach thousands of people in her own creative way. “I have always loved the Red Bull brand. They have great products and sponsor and help with some great causes and events. It took three interviews for me to end up with this position, and I am so glad I was selected,” she stated. Carlsson has accomplished a lot in the last three and a half years, and is the first to acknowledge the help she has had.

​

“I have had some great teammates throughout my time at Behrend, including Haley Yenchik, Paige Allen, and Rachel Pell who I have ran in many relays with over the years. In addition, my high school teammate and still my teammate to this day Jenna Shelton has been a great friend throughout my high school and college years. In nursing, my greatest friend Amela Becirevic has been there through it all with me. She is someone I can count on for absolutely anything.” Carlsson said.

​

Wherever she ends up, Carlsson will make sure running is a part of her life. She hopes to return to Pittsburgh and work in an ICU. Carlsson has gained a diverse experience at Behrend in athletics, business and medicine that will serve her well.