Written by Jake Keiter. This article was featured in out first print issue released in May of 2023. Check it out here!
Ashlyn Messinger is a rising star in the world of college athletics. With her roots in Northern Lebanon, Messinger has taken her passion for sports to the next level as a student-athlete at the collegiate level. Messinger shares her journey in sports, her experiences playing at Northern Lebanon, and the challenges she has faced as a college athlete.
Growing up in Northern Lebanon, Messinger was introduced to sports at a young age. Her parents signed her up for soccer in kindergarten, and she began playing basketball in second grade. From then on, sports became a part of her life. “I really just grew up with it and it has just been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” she says.
Playing sports at Northern Lebanon High School was a formative experience for Messinger. She faced some challenges due to injuries, but she persevered and achieved her goals. “When I was 13, I tore my ACL for the first time and needed surgery,” she says. “As I was recovering from that injury, I set a goal for myself. I wanted to start Varsity in both soccer and basketball as a freshman. I was able to achieve that goal with a lot of hard work.”
Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, Messinger was still able to be a part of some successful teams. “During my junior year, our soccer team won our section, qualified for league playoffs, and got 2nd in districts,” she says. “Along with these team accomplishments, I was able to break some school records with the help of my teams and teammates throughout the years, and was named to some 1st team, 2nd team, and MVP all-star awards.”
For Messinger, however, it was the memories of camaraderie and team spirit that made playing sports at Northern Lebanon truly special. “The memories that will always be my favorite are bus rides to away games with the team, going out to eat after big wins, laughing together, working hard at practices every day together, and even crying together after hard losses,” she says. “None of it would have been worth it if we weren’t all in together.”
Playing sports at the college level has been a different experience for Messinger. She faces new challenges and a different atmosphere, but the passion for the game remains the same. “While playing sports at the college level has been a great privilege and experience so far, there will always be something different and something special about playing sports in high school,” she says.
One of the biggest challenges Messinger has faced as a college athlete is the uncertainty that comes with changes in coaching staff. “Before I got to campus, I found out that the coach I was recruited by for basketball was leaving,” she says. “The uncertainty of who would come in and what the style of play would look like was honestly frustrating.”
In addition to coaching changes, Messinger has also faced physical challenges, including knee injuries and arthritis. “It can be hard to go to practice every day and see everyone around you easily doing the things that it takes you much more energy for and is much more painful for you to accomplish,” she says. “Remembering my ‘why’ and my teammates’ support are the biggest reasons I was able to overcome these challenges.”
Balancing the demands of being a student-athlete with academic and personal life can be a daunting task, but Messinger has found ways to manage it all. Taking dual enrollment courses in high school helped her get ahead with her college credits, and she continues to prioritize her coursework alongside athletics. “It takes discipline and time management to be a student-athlete, but it’s definitely doable,” she says.
Through it all, Messinger remains focused on her love for sports and her faith. She credits her faith as a source of strength and inspiration in her journey as an athlete. “God has given me the ability to play sports, and I try to use it for his glory,” she says. “When I play, I play for him and
not just for myself or my team.”
Messinger’s passion for sports has also led her to pursue a career in athletic training. “I love being around sports, so it only made sense to do something in that field,” she says. “I want to help athletes prevent injuries and recover from them so they can continue to play the sport they love.”
Looking towards the future, Messinger hopes to continue playing basketball and soccer in college while pursuing her degree in athletic training. She also wants to inspire others to pursue their passions, whether it be in sports or other areas of life. “I want to show people that you can achieve your goals even if you face setbacks or challenges,” she says. “It takes hard work and determination, but it’s worth it in the end.”
