Devon Bortfeld

Meet the Cougars Track & Field Captains: Devon Bortfeld

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From theatre actress to cross country runner, senior Devon Bortfeld takes on the title as the Women's Track distance captain for the second year in a row.
 
Bortfeld began her running career in elementary school when her father would pick her up from her school in Sammamish, Wash., and drop her off a ways away from her house, allowing her to wear off her high energy by running.
 
The on-foot trek home showed Bortfeld how much she enjoyed running. After trying a variety of different sports, she quickly learned that there was something about track and cross country that stood out to her.
 
"Aside from my complete and utter lack of coordination, I was drawn to track because it isn't subjective," Bortfeld said. "You know exactly how good you are - the clock doesn't lie."
 
However, track was not the only passion Bortfeld discovered in elementary school. It was in a third grade drama production where she was cast as an evil queen when Bortfeld developed a love for theatre.
 
"The rush of being on a stage and making people laugh was so life-giving," Bortfeld reminisced.
 
Bortfeld went on to be a part of shows outside of school and was active in the theatre community until high school. She even lists Lucille Ball as one of her inspirations, admiring how a woman can step into a male-dominated industry and create a name for herself through comedy and perseverance.
 
Bortfeld also lists Doris Brown Heritage as a role model. The former cross country trailblazer not only broke records, but opened the door for female runners at a time where women were isolated from many opportunities. Doris' legacy motivates Bortfeld not only as a runner, but as an activist.
 
These roles models have guided Bortfeld to strive for activism into a career as a psychologist. She wants to open her own private practice where she can work with women who are victims of domestic violence.
 
"I believe that mental health is under celebrated. I want to do my part to help bring that more into conversation," Bortfeld said.
 
Bortfeld is drawn to working with women because of the impact that they've had in her life, especially the leaders she's met while being a part of this program.
 
CharLee Linton is a former teammate of Bortfeld's and is now the assistant coach for track and cross country. Bortfeld has always looked up to Linton and the two have a close bond.
 
"CharLee is someone I can go to for quality advice and guidance," Bortfeld said.
 
Bortfeld believes that Linton serves as a positive figure for the younger members of the team, showing them that coaches are accessible and can serve as not only your leaders, but as your friends and your supporters. Linton has influenced the kind of captain Bortfeld strives to be.
 
One of her main goals as captain is to incorporate more emotional connection among the teammates. She wants her teammates to invest into each other's lives and to understand that they are a family.
 
"We don't just run for ourselves, we run for each other," Bortfeld said.
 
Bortfeld is not only a captain in her leadership abilities, but in her performance as a runner. She is among the best female distance runners in WSU history, having achieved times that are in the  top-seven best in WSU history in four different events: the mile, the 3000m, the 5000m and the 3000m steeplechase.
 
Running will always be a part of Bortfeld's life. After graduation, she plans on being a volunteer coach before getting her master's degree in Psychology. She plans on eventually moving to the mountain region of the states where she can hold her private practice, be a professor at a university, and be the head track coach at a high school. No matter what, Bortfeld will always be running.
 
"I better be 85 and still racing down the highway," Bortfeld said.
 


 
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