The following is a feature profile written by Bryce Musser, who interned with the SU sports information office during the Fall 2023 semester. Bryce wrote a series of profiles of Raider student-athletes that will be featured on shipraiders.com from Dec. 20-Jan. 2.
 
Leah Moffitt (Coatesville, Pa.) runs cross country and track at Shippensburg University, having majored in biology with an emphasis in pre-med.
 
When deciding on what college to go to, Leah knew that she wanted to run collegiately, and it was a big factor in deciding the college she wanted pursue. After she talked with coach Steve Spence about the athletic and academic opportunities, she knew Ship was the right school for her.
 
"Every time I visited the campus, it just felt like the right place for me," Moffitt said.
 
Moffitt was a competitive gymnast for eight years of her life and did not take an interest in running until eighth grade, but knew it was what she was meant to do.
 
When Moffitt had to choose between gymnastics and running in middle school, she chose running because it had become an integral part of her life and a way to relieve stress. She loves how simple running is compared to other sports because it allows you to connect with yourself.
 
"The culture in track and cross country is like that of no other sport," said Moffitt.
 
Moffitt believes a lot of competitiveness is involved in cross country and track, but there is also a lot of support because everyone understands the work and time it takes to be a distance runner. Moffitt tries to incorporate spreading gratitude in every part of her life because she believes success will follow, and it will make her want to work harder to improve.
 
"The knowledge of knowing that you can always be better, stronger, faster is what keeps me competing in the sport," Moffitt said.
 
Ever since Moffitt was little, she knew she wanted to pursue something related to science. She has always been drawn to biology as a field of study when exploring career paths, and she did not have any second thought when choosing to major in biology.
 
"I really enjoy learning about the how's and why's of life; and biology allows me to explore them," said Moffitt.
 
Academics have always been a priority in Moffitt's life. She has always been a perfectionist when it comes to academics because it allows her to strive to become the best version of herself in all aspects of her life. Her goal is to go to medical school and become a physician, so it is crucial for her to stay motivated in and out of the classroom.
 
A way Moffitt balances her academics and being an athlete is by focusing on being the best student she can be in the classroom, and by focusing on being the best athlete she can be when she is running.
 
"Ever since my injuries my sophomore and junior year, I view each run as a gift and work to truly enjoy every run," said Moffitt.
 
Although she has to invest a lot of time into running, it never feels like a chore to her. When races do not go the way she hopes for, it can be frustrating, but she is thankful for the amazing team she gets to train with.
 
Moffitt's favorite class she has taken in the biology department is Human Physiology (Bio 350) because it looks into all of the body processes that allow us to live and function daily. She also enjoys the material that was taught in her biochemistry class.
 
"These classes challenged me to think outside of the box, as well as develop a new understanding of how the body works," said Moffitt.
 
"Underdogs in the beginning are winners in the end," is a quote that resonates with Moffitt. She believes that underdogs are not losers at first but rather the ones to find a means to keep working no matter what the results are.
 
Moffitt believes that these people are the real winners because their love for the sport pays off at the end. She strives to keep working towards her goals, despite the challenges she may face.
 
"Running has challenged me in unimaginable ways, but I truly love this sport and working to better myself not only as a student-athlete, but also holistically as person," Moffitt said.