In high school hurdler/sprinter Christina Metzler first uncovered a passion for giving to people through healthcare. She and her sister cared for their grandma, who was disabled and confined to a wheelchair. This began Metzler's pathway to the medical field, a vocation that she will use as a tool to minister to people in need.


Now a senior at PLNU, Metzler recently completed an honors project on healthcare for Muslim women in San Diego. Her interest for aiding people medically has grown to encompass working across cultural divisions as well.

"I like the challenge of overcoming a language or social barrier. Something excites me about meeting people who are different than me," Metzler said.

With a biology degree in hand, Metzler will begin medical school at the end of the summer. She is accepted to Loma Linda, but is waiting on decisions from several UCs in anticipation of being the second Point Loma student in her class accepted to the prestigious state system.

Metzler chose Point Loma for her undergraduate degree because she wanted to attend a small Christian school that offered leadership opportunities. The outdoor red rubber track, complete with an ocean view, formed a distinction in Metzler's mind from the other universities she visited. She took advice to pick one involvement in college that she loved, and to add on other activities as she was able. Track was that one thing for Metzler.

On days that Metzler had to complete three science labs of a few hours each, track practice was the perfect complement to academics because it required her to get outside and be active with her body. The track team also gave her exposure to a different group of people than the biology students who would otherwise define her social circle. The athletic accomplishments of competing rounded out Metzler's life as well.

"It was nice to have something to succeed at when other things are not working out, like tests," Metzler said.

Metzler came in on top several times in her athletic career. As a freshman, her 4x800 relay team came in first place in GSAC and gave her All-American status. She was league champion in the 400m hurdles. Her 800m came in sixth in the nation.

In her sophomore year, she ran the steeplechase, becoming the third woman at Point Loma to attempt the event. Although it is a distance run, the steeplechase requires technique due to the bigger, stable hurdles and a water hazard. Metzler describes it as a horse race for humans.

"She begged me to let her run the steeplechase," said Arvin.

Metzler's drive to seek out challenges to overcome and devotion to hard work piqued her interest in the demanding race. She knew that just finishing the race at league championships would bring in points for the team. Her experience with hurdles made her a good candidate.

"Running it was one of the toughest races of my life." Metzler said. "I'd like to run it again, just to improve my time in the school record book."

She will hold the third spot in Point Loma records until at least eight more girls run the steeplechase to knock her out of the top ten.

Metzler finished her college career strong at her senior GSAC Championship with a first place in the 400m run as well as with her 4x400 relay team. Her 400m hurdles took third in the league, contributing to the women's team significant lead in points to take first place.

"Christina performs at or above her abilities as well as anyone I've worked with. She made the most of her opportunities. She's a tenacious and aggressive runner," Arvin said.

Over the years, Metzler fit in an impressive load of on campus extracurriculars on top of track that reflected her values and enhanced her medical school applications. Metzler sang in Chorale, attended the weekly gathering Worship in the Greek and fed the homeless with Bread of Life. In the science department she worked as a lab assistant and tutor, and spent two summers doing full-time research. Metzler had to make every minute count. She learned to eat quickly, get right out of bed in the morning, and would do reading for class in the ice bath after track practice.

Thanks to arriving in college with Advanced Placement credits under her belt, Metzler had flexibility to take off the fall semester of her junior year and spend ten weeks with a doctor and nurse couple who run a clinic in Indonesia. Five weeks into her stay, Metzler had learned the language well enough to converse. She observed 100 hours of medical operations and gave oral vaccinations to babies in villages.

While in a predominantly Muslim country that is familiar with tribal warfare and a corrupt government, Metzler learned about trusting God, citing Proverbs 3:5-6, which has been close to her heart all four years of college. Coach Arvin reflected trust on Metzler by giving her daily workouts to complete even while overseas, so that she would return ready to compete in the following track season. Metzler ran her exercises on the airstrip at dawn to avoid Indonesia's equatorial heat.

Coach Arvin gave holistic support to members on his team, allowing Metzler to work out on her own time if her classes conflict with team practice. His "open door" policy with his team invites students to come visit his office with any stress or problems.

"It's a team saying between the girls on the team that every one of us has been in his office crying at one time," said Metzler.

Coach Arvin does a devotional with his team every Friday, and Metzler reflects often on one in which he spoke on the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul."

"When I get tense on the starting block, I think of that line, 'it is well.' It helps my shoulders to relax, because I remember that even after the race there will be a test in class, and then something else, but through all of it, it is well."

by Danielle Fankhauser