Featured Senior: Jenae Arnold

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

Getting two wins away against Whitman and Whitworth my senior year

Describe your feelings when you found out the athletic events were canceled for the remainder of the year.

I was heartbroken for all student-athletes but especially for the seniors and study abroad athletes who didn't get to complete their final seasons. Every student-athlete knows how special that senior season is. People need closure and a lot of people had that pulled out from under them. I know if it had happened to me a part of me would always wonder "What if?"

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not being around your teammates?

As soon as the word went out that classes would be online I went home to Washington (a crazy choice I know haha). Life in quarantine has been repetitive to say the least. I miss my teammates and friends dearly but we are lucky enough to all have a computer or cell phone to communicate through.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

Always be thankful for the people in your life. Every year, I felt incredibly blessed to have the teammates that I had. They are definitely what defined my time at Willamette and I can't imagine it any other way.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

Enjoy every moment for what it is. The good, the bad, the funny and the sad all create this beautiful tapestry at the end. Try and stay in each moment because there will never be another exactly like it.

What are your future plans following graduation?

I plan to take prerequisite courses up in Bellingham, Washington, while figuring out where in the medical field I want to pursue a career in.

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Jenae?

Caroline Adams: When she scored the winning goal on a penalty kick against Lewis and Clark!

Lacey Jones: Jenae scoring the goal on Lewis and Clark with 27 seconds left in double overtime!

How has Jenae impacted you in your sport or in life?

Caroline Adams: Jenae has shown me to not stop working until I have nothing left in me. She is the epitome of a leader and a good person, and I feel lucky to have shared the field with her.

Jordan Roue: Jenae always made it a point to come up to me when she could tell I was feeling down and make sure I knew how important I was to the team, and would point out specific things that I did that had impacted her positively on the field. It really was a major factor in feeling like a valued teammate and it truly showed how much she cared about everyone on the team.

Lacey Jones: Jenae was a big reason as to why I committed to Willamette. She made me feel at home on my recruiting visit. Coming here was a great choice and I owe it to her.

What makes Jenae special?

Caroline Adams: She is unapologetically herself.

Lacey Jones: Jenae has the biggest heart of anyone I have known.

Is there anything Jenae brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Caroline Adams: Her intensity in and out of the game

Lacey Jones: Jenae is always a very level-headed person who will listen to those of us who need to be heard. She will always validate our feelings, and she definitely puts the team above her own individual wants.