SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Bennett grateful for her time at MSU
MINOT, N.D. – Taryn Bennett’s Minot State career as a collegiate softball player and her time in the exercise science and rehabilitation department has been, in her words, “amazing.”
Bennett, originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is graduating from MSU with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and will next look to enroll in graduate school for physical therapy.
“Minot State gave me the chance to live out being a college athlete and pursue an amazing degree,” she said.
Bennett is from a family of six, with two brothers and a sister. She traveled north in pursuit of further education and the opportunity to play softball at the college level.
“Softball is what brought me to MSU, and I have never been more grateful!” said Bennett. “I chose Minot State because as soon as you stepped on campus, from facility to coaches to members of the athletic department, you could feel how they cared about you beyond being an athlete.”
Being a student-athlete allowed Bennett a unique pathway to higher education. As a member of the Minot State softball team, Bennett found endless opportunities and achieved many goals.
“I was a part of the MSU softball team, where I met some of my best friends and couldn't imagine life without them,” Bennett said. “I participated in the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) three out of my four years and was SAAC president my final year. SAAC allowed me to help give student-athletes a voice in the athletic department. SAAC also allowed me to meet other student-athletes around the conference and build relationships with administrators in the NSIC.”
Her time in the athletic department also gave her more exposure to the field of exercise, which sparked her passion for what she does.
“I chose exercise science and rehabilitation because I knew I wanted to do something with exercise, but I was not quite sure how. I investigated multiple fields like athletic training and physician assistant, and finally decided on physical therapy,” said Bennett. “I love encouraging people to move the body and learning how to take care of our body because it's the only one we have.
“My advisor, (Minot State assistant professor) Beth Marschner, had a huge impact on me, teaching me and encouraging me to learn in new ways.”
On the field, Bennett started 99 games for the Beavers over four years, including all 83 games over the past two years. She led the squad with 25 RBIs in 2024, helping MSU to the semifinals of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament last week. She finished her career with 50 RBIs and 23 doubles.
Going forward she is proud to say that her education will not stop here, and she plans to obtain a doctorate in physical therapy in the near future. No matter where her education takes her in the future, however, Bennett will fondly remember the time she spent here at Minot State University.
“My time at MSU is something I will always be grateful for,” Bennett said. “The people here are amazing, and I truly couldn't imagine spending four years anywhere else. The professors in the kinesiology department are fantastic and some of the best at their jobs.
“I know I will be prepared for graduate school because of how the professors have prepared me. The people at Minot State want you to succeed in everything: in school, in your sport, and in life.”
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 05/15/24
