Senior Series: Conrad Morgan

Annika Bahnsen, Sports Editor

Conrad Morgan is no stranger to the Westmont community. His bright and infectious personality can be seen everywhere around campus  something that will be missed after he graduates.

You may know Morgan more from his involvement in the Students for Sustainability club or his activism in the Santa Barbara area, but did you know that Morgan is also a javelin and discus thrower on the men’s track and field team?

Originally from Oahu, Hawai’i, Morgan didn’t initially start his athletic career as a track and field athlete. “By the end of high school, I’d played a myriad of sports. I swam, dove, bowled but most notably played volleyball for over nine years,” said Morgan.

Morgan wanted to bowl collegiately, but after discovering Westmont, he realized that God had other plans for him.

After talking to the athletic director and head coach Russell Smelley, Morgan found himself a spot on the track and field team.

Morgan has been a huge asset to the team, showing very impressive scores. Last year, Morgan posted a team-best discus of 31.35m as well as a team-best javelin of 41.64m.

When discussing his favorite memories on the team, Morgan shared that it would “definitely be our team trip to Virginia and D.C. last spring break.” He explained, “Getting to travel with the team, explore the Smithsonian together, share meals, compete and just be with each other was a time I’ll never forget.”

Additionally, Morgan made many lifelong friends on the same trip. Specifically, he mentioned Caleb Beeghly and Zola Sokhela to be two of his closest friends on the team. “Caleb has been throwing with me since we walked on our first year and has become an invaluable and dear friend to me. Over the course of our spring break trip, Zola and I went from being friends to being more like brothers. Sharing hotel rooms, running to Goodwill and staring at rocks in the Smithsonian together laid the foundation for one of my most valued friendships.”

Academically, Morgan is a communications and environmental studies double major here at Westmont. Although the communications major is popular, the environmental studies major is something not as well known here.

The environment is one of Morgan’s many passions, as you can probably catch him on the weekends exploring the nature of Santa Barbara, and more specifically, finding cool rocks along the sandy shores of the coast.

As mentioned above, Morgan is heavily involved in the Students for Sustainability club. This leadership started during his first year at Westmont when he was the eco-representative for Page Hall. After this position, he transitioned into a leadership position in the Students for Sustainability club.

Additionally, Morgan studied in New Zealand last semester in a study abroad program which helped him advance within his major. He shared, “Thanks to my time studying with the Creation Care Program in Kaikōura, a coastal town on the South Island of New Zealand, and with the help of Dr. Robins and Dr. Sparkman, I am one of four graduating seniors with a major in environmental studies.”

After Westmont, Morgan plans to move back to his home state of Hawai’i and will be working with Sustainable Coastlines Hawai’i, a nonprofit which Morgan has worked with for a few years. Additionally, Morgan will continue to do modeling work, as he has been in that industry for a while now as well.

When reflecting on his time here at Westmont, Morgan shared “These past four years I’ve developed relationships and friendships that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” he continued, “Being able to have relationships with my professors and coaches has made a world of difference for my time in the classroom and at the track.”

We thank Conrad for his devotion to this school and we are so excited to see where his gifts and passions take him in the coming years!

The track and field team will play at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships next, which will take place at Westmont on April 27.

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