DICKINSON — Kaitlyn McColly's journey to the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, China, capped a standout outdoor track season. Despite being Dickinson State's first National Heptathlon champion and earning All-American honors, McColly embraced the invaluable lessons of defeat and the global stage.
She secured the 17th spot with a score that nearly surpassed 5000, competing against world-class athletes. This experience enriched her with invaluable knowledge and perspectives that couldn't be acquired through any other means.
“The main focus was to go out and have fun and really soak up the experience and that's what I did,” McColly said. “I ended up improving my overall score which was one of the rules that I had. I didn’t do quite as well as I hoped I would be able to do, but I couldn't ask for a better time.”
She swiftly noticed the diverse array of athletes and the immense scale of the venue. The stadium was brimming with enthusiastic fans.
“This was by far the biggest meet, with the most spectators I have ever competed in,” McColly said. “The spectators would cheer for everybody of course, but the way they cheered for the Chinese athletes was insane. In most of my heats, in different events throughout the multi there was a lady from China in my heat. So when I ran the hurdles with her, and ran the 800 there was a whole nother level of intensity coming from the crowd.”
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Her mother, Kristen McColly, accompanied Kaitlyn on this journey to China, under unique circumstances.
“[My Mom] went over technically part of the medical so she could travel with Team USA, but she was there as my mom too and that was really awesome,” said McColly.
Chengdu, with a population exceeding 16 million, extended a warm welcome to McColly and her fellow athletes, giving them a taste of stardom. They visited the New Century Global Center, renowned as the world's largest mall, where they were met with enthusiastic fans eager for photos.
“I have never felt more like a celebrity in my life,” McColly said. “All of the locals were so excited to see me and I got asked for photos over 50 times a day. Like I never felt more like a celebrity … I had a lot of fun and I love taking pictures with everybody, especially the little kids because they were just so excited to meet me.”
McColly forged friendships with athletes from around the world. Many countries engaged in pin exchanges; McColly swapped pins with Brazilian men's volleyball players, a South African fencer, an Australian water polo player, and more. Amidst the individuals she encountered, she felt a special bond with her fellow multi-athletes, who competed in various events within the same heats and collectively navigated the challenges.
“The connection you form with the girls you are competing with is different from any other event because you are with them for multiple days and with each other through some very exhausting times. I was able to see girls have amazing performance after amazing performance and it showed me what I can strive for.”
McColly expressed immense gratitude to the communities that supported her over the years and throughout her China trip. Dickinson and Glasgow played pivotal roles in her growth as an athlete and young adult, while her hometown of Hinsdale, Montana, provided unwavering love and strength, propelling her across the globe. Looking ahead, McColly is focused on the indoor track and field season, embarking on her junior year at DSU, and she maintains her drive for excellence.
“For myself, this was a really humbling experience. Being a NAIA national champion, I am a good athlete, but I always know that I am not the best,” McColly said. “Competing here showed me what I really can strive for and it reshapes my goals coming into this next semester and the next season. I hope to improve and I hope in two years I will be able to compete at the World University Games again, in Germany.”
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