Katelyn Tuohy is quickly becoming one of NC State’s winningest student-athletes — emphasis on “quickly.” A junior in the Poole College of Management, Tuohy is also a blazing-fast runner on the women’s cross country and women’s track and field teams who has made history during her first three seasons with the Wolfpack under Coach Laurie Henes.
For instance, Tuohy became the university’s first track and field student-athlete — man or woman — to place higher than third in an NCAA Indoor Championships race when she finished second in the 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter races during the 2021-22 season. She was also the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Champion (5,000-meter), 2022 ACC Outdoor Champion (1,500-meter) and 2022 ACC Indoor Champion (5,000-meter), and she posted the fastest 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter times of any collegian in the country in 2022.
NC State writer Taylor Pardue recently spoke to Tuohy about her decision to join the Pack, what she wants to accomplish following graduation and how private support has enabled her to Think and Do. (This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
How did you become a competitive runner, and how did that ultimately lead you to NC State?
I started running a little over eight years ago at the age of 12. Since then, running has been a big part of my life.
Being a top recruit in my high school in New York state, I had the opportunity to visit pretty much any university I wanted. I was looking for one that was a total package: good academics, a good team, a campus I liked, a coach I was comfortable with, etc.
When I visited NC State, my high school rival and now best friend and teammate, Kelsey Chmiel, hosted me. In the small amount of time I spent on campus during my visit, I quickly felt comfortable with the team and really liked what the program was about, where it was heading and what I thought I could bring to it — and vice versa.
Every university I visited had all the bells and whistles, but NC State had something that no other university had: a family atmosphere that seemed to be unmatched by any other institution.
What are you majoring in, and what are your plans for postgraduate life?
I am pursuing a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. After college, I would love to be able to continue running professionally. Having a degree in business administration will not only be beneficial in helping me understand the business side of running but also will allow me to take what I have learned into the next stage of my life after running.
Nothing is ever guaranteed in sports, so the academic piece is crucial. I understand the importance of having other career options. However, every year so far at NC State, running professionally has seemed more and more attainable. If I do continue running, the announcers at competitions typically mention where the athletes went to college, so even though I won’t be wearing an NC State uniform any more after graduation, I’m proud that I will always be representing the Wolfpack.
How did receiving an athletics scholarship factor into your decision to attend the university?
Most people think a scholarship just means a free ride to college. Yes, my scholarship allowed me to concentrate on school and practice without the pressure of having to meet financial obligations, but it also gave me a sense of accomplishment and validation that all the hard work I put into my studies and running had paid off.
If it weren’t for scholarship opportunities, I would have been limited to universities close to home. My scholarship allowed me to see a different part of the country, gain more perspective and meet so many different people that I can’t imagine not having in my life now.
My scholarship also allowed me to be all-in about becoming the best student-athlete I possibly could be and do what I love every single day with my teammates. As a result, I have a strong desire to represent this university and the people who gave me this opportunity with pride.
What’s one of your favorite memories from your time at NC State thus far?
Winning the national championship last fall with the team is a moment I will cherish forever, and I have to give a big thank you to everyone who made that possible. We were able to charter a plane to Tallahassee, Florida, where the championships were held, and our whole team was there cheering. NC State’s women’s soccer team was there supporting us as well, since they played a tournament there the night before.
When we got back to Raleigh, we were given a police escort over to the Memorial Belltower [at Henry Square] to celebrate and even got to go inside, which very few people ever get to do, so it was a big honor to be able to experience that. We were also invited to eat dinner at Chancellor [Randy] Woodson’s house, which was super cool.
For you, what does it mean to be part of the Pack?
When I came to NC State, our leaders and upperclassmen instantly made me feel welcome and had a major impact on my life. They taught me how to be a good teammate off the track, checked in on me regularly, always asked me if I needed help and taught me a bunch of valuable lessons. Now, as a junior, I feel like I’m in their shoes and can continue the legacy.
There is something about being able to do something bigger than yourself that is incredibly powerful and meaningful. Being on the cross country and track and field teams has given me so many opportunities that I am so grateful for, and the relationships I have made and the experiences I have had here have really shaped who I am as a person. Committing to NC State really has been the greatest experience of my life.
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