ROCKLIN, Calif. - As a young woman entering college you have a plan for your future; school, boyfriend, career, husband then children somewhere in the far future, but for Bailey Cossentine, formerly Shykowski, God had His own plans that she looks back and just has to laugh at as she holds her 13-month-old son in her arms. 

"If anyone told me as a freshman that I would have a baby in the middle of my collegiate career, I would have laughed," Cossentine quoted, "No way is that happening!"

While being a mother and raising a family was always a dream of Cossentines, she didn't know God had other plans in the order in which they would come, but looking back now she wouldn't change a thing. 

Following her sophomore year, Bailey married her husband Erik less than a month after competing in her second appearance at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Nationals for the marathon event. Nearly a year later, the young couple welcomed their first child, Matheson, into the world. 

Bailey started her third year of college in the fall of 2018 as a full-time student-athlete, wife and mother. She would soon find out it would be her most challenging yet, but also her most rewarding both on the competitive field, in the classroom and at home. If you attend a Cross Country and/or Track & Field event, after crossing the finish line it doesn't take long before she has her son in her arms and is pushing a stroller for her cooldown jog. 

Bailey describes her son as the ultimate victory, "Every race I run is a culmination and celebration of all the sacrifice it took to get there: he practices, early mornings and late nights, long commutes, time away from my family; and the faith and commitment it took to get on that starting line." She goes on to say, "Holding my little boy is like holding my heart in my hands, he's my trophy - the physical representation of the reason of how and why I run: with my heart wide open and giving everything I have holistically: body, mind and spirit." 

This is the new normal for the junior who will be competing this week in her third NAIA Outdoor Nationals and third NAIA Nationals this season alone, making her debut at the Cross Country stage in the fall, the Indoor Track and Field competition in the winter and now Outdoor Track and Field in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Athletically, Bailey has raced better than ever this season by breaking the 5K school record three times while setting the program record in the Women's 10K, as well as the half marathon with her qualifying times for Outdoor Nationals. 

But all that success doesn't come without a price and she credits her success to her faith and family support that enables her to continue her journey to compete at a high level. 

"I know that those around me, friends and teammates, family, my coaches, are all cheering me on and pitching in when it counts, in order to give me the opportunity to be excellent at my sport," she continues, "The success I have experienced feels like a huge gift I could never ever repay, and will live out the rest of my life giving as generously to others as those who have believed in me and my dreams. 

But it goes beyond the athlete role she holds, the four-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete has learned a new meaning of balance in order to continue her goals and aspirations of finishing her degree and pursuing her future as an educator and therapist.

Cossentine has a dream of helping hurting people and horses, "I want to be an educator and therapist that shares my passion for life and living it to the fullest and ultimately, my hope in Christ Jesus and who He is and what His big plans are.  I know that my personal growth and education is my ticket to helping others because if I do not put the time and effort into growing myself, I will have less of a range of ability to pour into others." 

How does she do it all? Bailey still doesn't know but what she does know is she has learned some many things about living in a short amount of time. Her biggest blessing, learning a new meaning of love and understanding it isn't always joy, but comes with pain and sacrifice as well. And in that, her biggest struggle, being away from her family to chase her dreams but appreciating those that are there to support her through this journey of life.

As she laces her shoes for the final time this season, at the biggest stage of her collegiate career ranked among the top-10 in the country, she looks forward to laying it all out on the line. 

"It's just 26 miles," Cossentine said. But she looks forward to the finish line. "In the end, it's the victory of crossing that line and falling into the arms of those that have stood with me through the darkest of times and crowding around me to celebrate is absolutely invigorating. For me, it's an experience of 'Heaven on earth.'  Holding Matheson up in triumph is the cherry on top and my greatest achievement."