Kelly Shanklin, SEBS Class of 2030. Photo: Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University
Kelly Shanklin’s road to Rutgers–New Brunswick has been measured in miles and defined by persistence.
The 17-year-old from Clinton Township enters Rutgers–New Brunswick as an Honors College student studying biology on the pre-med track and as a member of the Scarlet Knights women’s cross country and track and field teams.
Shanklin’s curiosity about medicine began during her freshman biology class at North Hunterdon High School.
“I just kind of fell in love with the subject,” she said. “I had a really great teacher who got me very interested in it.”
That same year Shanklin discovered another passion. After playing volleyball in middle school she decided to give cross country a try instead. She quickly emerged as one of New Jersey’s top distance runners.
One of her most memorable early races came on Holmdel Park’s notoriously challenging cross-country course where Shanklin lost a shoe but finished the 5K anyway.
“I got flat tired,” she said. “It was my first time running a cross country 5K, so it was definitely interesting.”
Her resilience would be tested more seriously two years later. Shanklin broke her foot near the end of her junior year cross-country season and underwent surgery the following February.
“There were definitely times when I doubted if I would be able to get back into the shape I once was,” she said. “But I just continued working hard.”
By the end of her senior track season that work paid off. Shanklin surpassed her previous personal best in the mile, a feat that taught her lessons she will carry to Rutgers and hopefully into a career in medicine.
“Cross country and track and field have definitely taught me a lot about grit and persistence,” Shanklin said. “It also showed me how important it is to keep putting in the work even when you’re not seeing the results that you want.”
Rutgers carries a family connection. Her mother is a Rutgers alumna and current doctoral student.
“I’m very excited about this new chapter in my life,” she said. “I get to meet new people, try new things. It’s just an exciting new experience.”
This article first appeared in the full Rutgers Today feature, Rutgers Class of 2030 Is Ready to Change the World.
