Courtney Wayment is never not having fun when she graces the track.
She showcases a smile that’s full of joy when she stops to chat with reporters after the race, and her perspective allows her to see the big picture even when things might not go her way on the track.
Two reasons behind Wayment’s smile and cheerful demeanor is that she’s having fun when she steps out on the track, and she always has a heart full of gratefulness and joy for the ability to do what she enjoys.
“I would definitely say that I’ve had a lot of fun,” she said after the race. “It’s been a lot of growth and a lot of experience, but I love this sport a lot, so fun has to be the No. 1 thing.”
Wayment, who runs for ON Athletics, has been a staple in the American women’s 3000m steeplechase over the past couple of years. In her young professional career, the BYU alumna, who’s coached by current BYU head cross country coach Diljeet Taylor, has been on two World Championship teams for Team USA (Oregon 2022, Budapest 2023) where she made the finals in the women’s 3000m steeplechase at both Championships.
Prior to becoming a professional athlete, Wayment enjoyed a successful career competing for BYU. She won the NCAA Outdoor Championship in the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 2022, while also winning the NCAA Indoor title in the women’s 5000m in the same year. She also took home indoor titles in the women’s 3000m and the women’s distance medley relay in 2021.
Wayment’s demeanor is fueled by gratitude and joy. She doesn’t take any opportunity that she has to run for granted, and practicing joy is something that she and coach Taylor discuss with one another.
“I think something that me and coach Taylor have talked a lot about is I want to run with passion, and I want to run with joy and I always want this to be something that I love and that I’m passionate about. Every time I get to line up, it’s an opportunity to be grateful for the thing that I love and the gift that I’ve been given from God. So I would say that’s where the joy comes from.”
Wayment’s faith has been something that she’s leaned on throughout the season. Her faith has given her perspective, which helps her to keep moving forward every day, while also giving her hope.
“I think it’s always being tested,” she said. “Something that me and coach Taylor have talked alot about is faith doesn’t exist without hope. You have to have hope in the future and faith in the process. And sometimes these things turn out, and sometimes they don’t. But if you keep having faith and keep having hope, things will turn out eventually.”
