Waiting for the results to flash on the scoreboard can feel like a lifetime. For Divonne Franklin, staring at that screen after the 100-meter dash was the culmination of four years of hard work. When her name finally populated at the top, confirming her status as an NCAA National Champion with a time of 11.09 seconds, it wasn't just a win – it was a revelation.

"I'm just number one. Oh my gosh. It was unbelievable," Divonne recalled.

Her path to the podium began with a simple letter in the mail. Unaware that a "California" existed in Pennsylvania, Divonne took a chance on the university because they reached out personally. That personal touch defined her academic experience as well. As a Biology major, she navigated challenging coursework by leveraging the intimate class sizes that PennWest California offers.

"I loved how small it was. Being involved with the professors and actually having one-on-one experiences with them was awesome," she explained.

Divonne’s success is a perfect example of her empowerment. She battled moments of doubt and anxiety, learning to manage the pressure of high-level competition through tools like journaling. Her ability to stay grounded while achieving elite status speaks to the holistic support she received from her coaches and teammates.

"I don't even know who I would be if I never went to Cal and met the people I've met," she said.

Today, Divonne is applying the practicality of her experience in a new arena: coaching. Now an assistant coach at Haverford College, she uses the lessons she learned on the track and in the classroom to mentor the next generation of athletes. Her journey from an unknown recruit to a record-breaking champion proves that with the right support system, students can exceed even their own expectations.