"Mother/Runner," with Vanessa Aniteye '23

When Vanessa Aniteye’s indoor track season started in December of 2022, she was a decorated 400-meter runner moving up to the 800 meters. At that point, she had raced the 800 just three times in her life. Three months later, in March of 2023, Vanessa became a national champion at that distance. Then a senior at Seattle Pacific, she brought home a first-place win, clocked the fastest time of the season, and also pocketed her ninth All-American honor. All this achievement would be difficult enough for any student, but Vanessa was also returning to the sport after giving birth to her son.