As a four-time Illinois state champion in two track and field events, Kelsey Card had a lot of college recruiters trying to sell her on the merits of their programs.
Card dominated the discus and shot put, sweeping state titles and setting records along the way, during her time at Carlinville High School, which is located approximately 60 miles northeast of St. Louis.
Card wanted to stay within six hours driving distance, which eliminated the likes of UCLA and Stanford, West Coast schools that wanted her. She eventually pared down the list to four — Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and the University of Wisconsin — and was ultimately won over by a unique, personal touch.