Abygale Ahn ’23: Steadfast Service
Words: Abby Dorman ’17
Photos: Tony Hughes
When Abygale Ahn ’23 isn’t in the classroom working on pre-med course requirements, you might find her meeting with fellow student chaplains to plan the next All-School Communion. If she’s not there, she could be leading the weekly Tolle Lege campus Bible study for students who want to connect over Scripture and prayer. Still not there? Check the tennis courts, where the two-time, All-CCIW First Team women’s tennis selection practices alongside her teammates.
Ahn is the first to admit that her schedule is full but also humbly attributes her capacity for so many activities back to God. “I have learned so much dependence on the Lord through this season of balancing both tennis and chaplaincy,” she said.
Ahn’s impact was felt on the tennis court immediately when she helped her team to a CCIW conference title in her freshman season. Now her disciplined time management and trust in the Lord’s strength each day help her be present as a co-captain of the 2022–23 women’s tennis team while representing the program in #3 singles and #1 doubles. As one of the few juniors and seniors on the team, Ahn’s role is as multifaceted as her life outside tennis. She helps lead captains’ practices, sets the team culture, and facilitates team prayer time.
“She leads by example and uses the abilities the Lord has blessed her with—a bright mind, a love of people, and the desire to serve him well in everything,” Coach Jane Nelson reflected.
Whether on the tennis court, as a chaplain, or preparing for a medical career, Ahn focuses on pointing the people around her to the Lord.
Throwback: Carol Elsen ’82
Carol Elsen ’82, 1999 Hall of Honor inductee, had a successful track and field career at Wheaton. In 1982, she earned All-American honors and helped the women’s team secure a seventh-place finish out of 40 teams at the NCAA Division III track and field championships. After graduating, Elsen pursued a literary career, eventually serving as the collections manager and reference librarian at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater’s Andersen Library. In 2011, she was named as one of Library Journal’s 2011 Nonfiction Reviewers of the Year.
To learn more about athletics at Wheaton, visit wheaton.edu/athletics.
