A leadership role is nothing unfamiliar to Regyn Gaffney, who has always been an advocate for unity and helping others. The junior from Chehalis, Wash., was named the Women's Track events captain this season and plans to bring that sense of unity to the team.
Coming from Adna High School, a small school with a graduating class of only 35 students, Gaffney has valued the community she was raised in and what it has taught her.
"Everyone knows everyone and everyone helps everyone," Gaffney said of her hometown.
Gaffney's love for contributing to her community began in high school, when she worked with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization where volunteers help build affordable homes for those in need. This experience is what helped her realize that she values making people happy.
Her parents are whose happiness she values most. Gaffney said her parents, John Gaffney and Shannon Vestal, motivated her to always do and be her best. Knowing what Gaffney was capable of, her parents set high expectations and she always strived to go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.
"I loved the challenge of performing and being better than what was expected," Gaffney said.
This mentality fueled Gaffney's early years, when she tried track for the first time in middle school. She recalled racing the boys, beating them every chance she could. She loved the thrill of winning as the underdog.
Her competitive nature was not the only thing that drove Gaffney to be her best. The sidelines of her races never being empty played a big role.
"My family, immediate and extended, came to every meet they could," Gaffney said. "Hearing their cheers gave me that extra boost."
It was her grandfather, Al Stratton, who made the most prominent impact on Gaffney. Having been a track athlete himself, he was always eager to call Gaffney after every race to see how she was feeling.
"Papa Al was always at my meets cheering me on, rain or shine," Gaffney said. "He would support me through all my ups and downs."
The family is nothing but proud of the sprinter, who had the third fastest mark in WSU history after she won the New Mexico Invite in 2017, and who has placed in the MPSF Championships as well as the Pac-12 and NCAA West Region Championships.
"Regyn is a very hard working kid who leads by example on and off the track," said Yogi Teevens, the Associate Head Coach.
Teevens said she knew Gaffney was going to be a great fit for the Cougs after their first recruiting call. She is proud of the work ethic and dedication Gaffney has brought to the team.
Gaffney hopes to bring even more to the team during her time as a captain. She wants to create a sense of community, because that's what she's used to coming from a small school.
She plans to achieve her goal by starting with team meetings, which she aims to make feel like more family meetings. She wants the athletes to have that time to not only talk track, but to be able to get to know one another and create more personable connections.
"Joining this team helped bring me out of my shell. I want everyone to have the same experience," Gaffney said.
Gaffney said that her efforts with Habitat for Humanity and her involvement with track has shaped her into the person that she wants to be. She has valued selflessness and harmony as the pillars of her moral code.
These pillars have helped develop Gaffney's plans for her future to become a wedding planner. She plans on owning and building at least five venues where she can host weddings and help put smiles on people's faces.
"A person's wedding day is the most special moment of their life and I want to be a part of making that special for them," Gaffney said.
Coming from Adna High School, a small school with a graduating class of only 35 students, Gaffney has valued the community she was raised in and what it has taught her.
"Everyone knows everyone and everyone helps everyone," Gaffney said of her hometown.
Gaffney's love for contributing to her community began in high school, when she worked with Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization where volunteers help build affordable homes for those in need. This experience is what helped her realize that she values making people happy.
Her parents are whose happiness she values most. Gaffney said her parents, John Gaffney and Shannon Vestal, motivated her to always do and be her best. Knowing what Gaffney was capable of, her parents set high expectations and she always strived to go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.
"I loved the challenge of performing and being better than what was expected," Gaffney said.
This mentality fueled Gaffney's early years, when she tried track for the first time in middle school. She recalled racing the boys, beating them every chance she could. She loved the thrill of winning as the underdog.
Her competitive nature was not the only thing that drove Gaffney to be her best. The sidelines of her races never being empty played a big role.
"My family, immediate and extended, came to every meet they could," Gaffney said. "Hearing their cheers gave me that extra boost."
It was her grandfather, Al Stratton, who made the most prominent impact on Gaffney. Having been a track athlete himself, he was always eager to call Gaffney after every race to see how she was feeling.
"Papa Al was always at my meets cheering me on, rain or shine," Gaffney said. "He would support me through all my ups and downs."
The family is nothing but proud of the sprinter, who had the third fastest mark in WSU history after she won the New Mexico Invite in 2017, and who has placed in the MPSF Championships as well as the Pac-12 and NCAA West Region Championships.
"Regyn is a very hard working kid who leads by example on and off the track," said Yogi Teevens, the Associate Head Coach.
Teevens said she knew Gaffney was going to be a great fit for the Cougs after their first recruiting call. She is proud of the work ethic and dedication Gaffney has brought to the team.
Gaffney hopes to bring even more to the team during her time as a captain. She wants to create a sense of community, because that's what she's used to coming from a small school.
She plans to achieve her goal by starting with team meetings, which she aims to make feel like more family meetings. She wants the athletes to have that time to not only talk track, but to be able to get to know one another and create more personable connections.
"Joining this team helped bring me out of my shell. I want everyone to have the same experience," Gaffney said.
Gaffney said that her efforts with Habitat for Humanity and her involvement with track has shaped her into the person that she wants to be. She has valued selflessness and harmony as the pillars of her moral code.
These pillars have helped develop Gaffney's plans for her future to become a wedding planner. She plans on owning and building at least five venues where she can host weddings and help put smiles on people's faces.
"A person's wedding day is the most special moment of their life and I want to be a part of making that special for them," Gaffney said.