Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Cahill.
Hi Chloe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Thank you very much for having me, I’m excited to do this interview!
I am a D1 collegiate javelin thrower for Marshall University in Huntington, WV. I grew up around Cleveland, OH, and participated in many different sports, including gymnastics, soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse. Gymnastics was a big part of my family, and we particularly liked it for the aspect of both a team and individual sport. Track and field are similar in that way. My dad realized this and wanted me to try something else of this nature. One day, when I was about 6 years old, I came home from gymnastics practice, and my dad took me to the backyard, handed me a TurboJav (small plastic and rubber javelin for little kids), and told me to throw it. I’ve always had a good arm, so it came naturally. From there, my track and field journey started, and my mom and dad took me all over the country to different AAU, USATF, & New Balance Nationals meets. Javelin was not an event offered in schools in Ohio, so I did this in the summers while I did other sports during the school year. When the time came for high school graduation and looking at colleges, I looked for both track and lacrosse, as lacrosse had become another strong passion of mine through those past 4 years. Ultimately, I chose javelin as being at that level was what I had been working toward my whole life. Marshall University became a prospect somewhat unexpectedly, but after all was said and done, I decided it was the best fit for me as a javelin thrower and a student. I am now a senior, and my time at Marshall has solidified that I made the right choice 4 years ago. I have traveled to new places and big meets to compete in the sport I love while continuing my education and meeting my best friends.
As a senior, I am graduating this Spring of ’24 with my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Cyber Forensics and Security. This past Fall ’23 semester, I was accepted into the Accelerated Master’s Program for Criminal Justice, so I have been completing my first year of graduate studies while finishing my undergraduate degree. I earned the role of captain of the track and field team this year, and I am an executive officer of my school’s chapter – Alpha Phi Sigma – of the Criminal Justice National Honors Society. In addition, I have benefited from the recent change in NCAA rules regarding NIL and have been navigating the business world through deals with True Soul Boutique, CVS, and Reign Energy. I am so blessed to be where I am today, and I am proud of my accomplishments in sports, academics, and extracurriculars. My biggest accomplishment is making my family proud, as they have provided me with the love, support, and faith that I would not have been here without. My favorite part of my journey has been experiencing it with them by my side.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although the road has been great, it could have been smoother! I have had struggles, as every athlete does. The biggest challenge in my track career at Marshall has been the multiple staff changes. I have had three different throws coaches in the past four years. I am grateful for the time spent and what I learned from each, but it was hard to adjust almost every year to a new training and communication method. Other than that, there have been personal struggles, but that is something everyone goes through, and it just has to be worked through! Lastly, balancing school and track has proved to be very difficult.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
NIL is still a new world for college athletes, and I am continuing to navigate it. NIL stands for “Name, image, and likeness,” the NCAA has changed its rules and now allows athletes to monetize and profit from their “NIL.” Through posting on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, I have earned opportunities to work with brands such as Reign Energy, True Soul Boutique, and CVS as a sponsored athlete. Having the chance to compete in the sport I love at the collegiate level was already a dream come true, but now I can post content about things I love while both my school and I can benefit from it. That said, NIL is an excellent opportunity for me, but it also allows me to represent the school I love and compete for. My content focuses on fashion and the daily lifestyle of a D1 javelin thrower! For example, I love big shoes and am known for wearing them (I’m only 5’3″). Platform Vans, Doc Martens, and DollsKill can all be found in my closet! Other content I post includes everyday outfits, meet-day vlogs, outfit inspiration, etc. As I mentioned, this is something I am still navigating. Still, I am working on learning more about analytics and social media so I can keep doing what I am passionate about and representing my school and sport while doing so!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Many people have supported me in my track and field journey, considering I started when I was only six. Ultimately, the first ones that come to mind are my family. I have the most supportive and loving family in the world. We are all athletic, and sports have always been a massive part of our lives. I competed in many sports, including gymnastics, track and field, volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse. No matter what the circumstances, my parents made sure I was able to pursue whatever passions I had at any given time. I have competed in gymnastics for over 10 years, soccer for about five or six, volleyball for three, lacrosse for four, and track and field for 16 years now. Sports are expensive, time-consuming, and stressful, but my parents always supported me with whatever I needed to pursue my athletic dreams. However, their support applies to athletics and every aspect of my life, including academics and other passions, such as music and fashion. Not to mention, they have made it a point to come to every event, track meet, banquet, ceremony, senior night, etc., I have had, and they did so willingly and happily. My brother and sister have also always supported me, and I would not have been the athlete or person I am today without them. My sister was my gymnastics coach for a few years, and to have my sister, who already doubles as my best friend, also be my coach, was such a unique experience. I stated previously that being a D1 athlete has been a dream and one of my biggest goals. This is true, but my greatest goal is to make my family proud, seeing as being a part of them is my biggest and proudest accomplishment. I genuinely have the best family in the world, and I would not be here today without their unwavering love and support.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Will Meadows
