They say that runners keep their own rhythm and beat in their head while running.
 
For Eastern Illinois runner Ashlyn Denney that rings a little truer as the sophomore not only competes for the Panthers cross country and track teams but also finds time to be a member of the EIU Basketball Pep Band in the winter.
 
The passion is not something new to Denney as she has had a dual interest since her prep days as a student at Tolono Unity High School.
 
"I did both in high school, so it was something I wanted to try and continue in college," said Denney.  "I really enjoy music.  It's not my major, just something I have always thought was fun.  It was a way for me to meet people and get involved in campus."
 
The ability to balance both has been something Denney has developed as she went through her first year at EIU.
 
"It is sometimes stressful, but we only meet on Monday nights for pep band so Monday can be a struggle for me.  However, the amount I enjoy it outweighs the stress that might be there.  The director (Dr. David Boggs) understands that sometimes I might be late based on practice and is very understanding.  I like watching basketball as well, so it's a nice balance to watch games, play music and have fun.  I began playing music in band in fifth grade and I've always enjoyed it."
 
The balancing act worked well for Denney during her freshman season competing for the Panthers and playing clarinet in the Pep Band.  In cross country she was one of the Panthers scored runners at the OVC Championships and then landed on the podium during both the indoor and outdoor track seasons.
 
Denney was a first team All-OVC performer during the indoor season in both the 800-meter run and as a member of the Distance Medley Relay Team.   She earned second team All-OVC honors in that event during the outdoor season.
 
The success might have shocked some, but Denney had a bit of self-confidence in her ability coming into college as a state champion at the high school level.
 
"I knew I was a good runner coming into the program, but I didn't think I was going to be that good.  It was hard for me to measure how much I was going to grow going from high school training to college training.  It is a lot different.  I couldn't have predicted my growth, especially in track."
 
That growth allowed Denney to not only earn All-OVC honors as a freshman but also land in the school record book top ten for both the indoor and outdoor 800-meter events.  Her time during the outdoor season earned her an invite to the USATF U20 National Championships during the summer.
 
"That event was really stressful.  It was a long season, and I felt a little burnt out but I knew for U20's this would be the only year I would be able to do it.   It was a really cool experience because you compete on the track that you compete on for NCAA Nationals.  I had never been to Oregon before so that was a cool experience."
 
The experience seems like a long way from her small community where she started as a sprinter in middle school before they recruited her to run distance in high school, an event she has done ever since.
 
 
Based on the success she had at the high school level, Denney always thought running at the next level was a possibility and EIU became the perfect fit for her.
 
"My high school coach Kara Leaman knew that I wanted to continue to run beyond high school, so she reached out to coach Erin Howarth (former EIU cross country coach).  Coach Leaman really liked the program at EIU and thought I would be a good fit.  Dike Stirrett (EIU Hall of Fame runner) also helps out at Unity, so they all had good things to say about the program."
 
In addition to being made to feel at home with the EIU program, coming from Tolono to Charleston was a relatively easy adjustment as well.
 
"Charleston is just a little bit bigger than Tolono, so it still feels like home.  It's big enough to not feel like you are trapped in a small village with a six-mile perimeter.  It also has a lot of nice places to run."
 
The running at EIU has also come natural for Denney who does admit that there are differences between running cross country and running track.
 
"I feel like it's very split.  For track I like the competition and race more, but I race a lot shorter distance in track.  It feels more like an individual focused sport.  I know there are team points, but it is based on how you do in the race whereas in cross I feel like it is much more like a team sport.  We tend to bond a lot more during cross season and get to know everyone where in track you are focused on your own thing and event."
 
Despite being only in her second year in the program, based on her success Denney has already become one of the leaders for the distance crew leading more by example as she explains.
 
"I feel like as a runner I try to lead by doing the right things but there are still girls on the team I look up to that are very outgoing.  Chloe Proffitt, I feel like she is a good leader and always checking on everyone.  As a runner she is up in the front with us and helps lead the workouts."
 
Workouts and training can take up a lot of free time, but for Denney time management has been a key to success at the college level in all facets.
 
As a biological sciences major she earned OVC Academic Medal of Honor recognition following her freshman season while balancing track/cross country, pep band and giving back on campus.
 
"I work with the Office of Leadership Engagement on campus.  We work with the campus food pantry, making blankets for groups and other things to give back to the community.  I like volunteering and giving back."
 
For a young woman engaged in so many items on campus, her goals are pretty simple.
 
"Off to Med School following graduation.  On the track, honestly just PR.  Just try to run faster than last year."