Kathy Roche-Wallace

Bio

You came to Olivet as a non-traditional student at age 37 and mother of five children. You earned varsity letters as a member of the cross country and track & field teams.

In 1998, you earned All-MIAA honors in cross country after placing fifth at the conference championship meet. You went on to compete at the NCAA Division III Championships and finished in 20th-place to become the first cross country runner in school history to earn All-American honors.

Your success carried over to track season. In 1999, you earned All-MIAA honors and were the first female in Olivet history to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. You placed 14th of 20 runners in the 10,000-meter run.

You still hold the school outdoor record in the 3,000 and 10,000-meter run at 10:52.70 and 37:16, respectively. At the time of your graduation, you were the school-record holder in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000-meter run.

You graduated from Olivet with a degree in exercise science. Upon graduating from Olivet, you accepted a full-time position at Oaklawn Hospital at the Life Improvement Center. While there, you have worn many hats where you are able to use your degree to its fullest. You work one-on-one with clients as well as small groups so they are able to live a healthier life style and achieve their goals.

Since leaving Olivet, you have also become an endurance athlete. You have competed in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, Boston Marathon, and other ULTRA marathons and triathlons across the United States. Most recently, you completed the Race Across America for a second time.

Olivet honors you and is proud to induct you into the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame this 28th day of September, 2018.