Dan Williams/Collegian
Senior Candice Mulder competes in the 400 meter race and has improved so much, she could become the school record holder.
Senior Candice Mulder is an athlete marked by her grace on and off the track. Mulder has grown during her years at Hillsdale into a seasoned athlete and leader who has established herself as a Charger sprinter. Mulder's gentle leadership has grown to become a trademark to the track program.
When Mulder was recruited to run for Hillsdale four years ago, she came into the track and field program watching and learning from the upperclassmen leaders of the team. Now, Mulder stands as one of the captains and leaders of the extremely talented Charger team.
“As she came to Hillsdale as a freshman, I too began my first year at Hillsdale as a young coach,” assistant coach Chris Weigandt said. “I feel like I have grown with her as well as the other seniors on this team and it will definitely be an adjustment without her here. Her leadership will be missed; she is a terrific role model and leader by example.”
Mulder said that her teammates and the community of the close knit team have inspired her as time has gone by.
“As I have gotten older in the program it has been neat to see how the girls have grown and stepped up as leaders,” Mulder said. “Everyone on this team works so hard and put so much heart into it.”
In her final track season, Mulder's dedication to perform to her very best has been evident in her indoor season performances. On Saturday, Mulder finished in first place in the 400 meter race with a time of 57.91.
“She has the ability to become the school record holder in the 400 and also possibly and All-American,” Weigandt said. “She has also been the core of our sprint program which has made tremendous strides over the past four years which has in part brought up the level of success of the women's team.”
Mulder has set goals for herself to end her collegiate career on a high note.
“I'd like to go qualify and go to the indoor Nationals in the 400,” Mulder said. “In outdoor we'd like to go to Nationals in the 4x100 meter relay.”
Mulder's enthusiasm and drive in her final track season, doesn't end after a meet or track practice. Mulder's spirit for her sport extends to her involvement with the program Athletes in Action.
Last year, Mulder and a handful of other student athletes started the Christian fellowship program for Hillsdale athletes. Mulder and the other student leaders have participated in different Campus Crusade/Athletes in Action retreats to help plan the program here at Hillsdale.
“She has been one of the leaders who have always been there and been supportive in our large Athlete in Action group activities,” junior Sumer Way said. “This has been our first year in also running small group Bible studies which Candice has helped support also. She is such a sweet and sincere girl.”
Mulder said that her involvement with Athletes in Action has also been a significant part of her time at Hillsdale.
“As athletes it's good for us to get together with other Christians,” Mulder said. “It's a great support group for the athletes here.”
A Marketing major, Mulder said she is preparing to enter the work force after graduation in May. In a few short months, Mulder's time as a Hillsdale athlete will come to an end; but her coaches and teammates said that her impact on the program will be imprinted on the younger athletes for seasons to come.
“She is a tremendous lady, who works one hundred percent at whatever she does,” Weigandt said.
“This is why she has been successful on the track, in school, and why she will be successful in whatever career she chooses after leaving Hillsdale.”