This is the story about three University of Wyoming student-athletes.

Each has experienced success in the athletic world.  All were successful in their chosen sport.

This isn't about that.   

This is about how incredibly focused and determined they are to realize their dreams AFTER athletics.

Two are going to medical school, and one is going to law school.

Chris Henry is one of the most accomplished distance performers in Cowboy track history. A multi All-Mountain West performer in outdoor and indoor track and cross country, he has put together a tremendous athletic resume.

But Chris also was All-Academic many times too. His accomplishments in that realm are as long as your arm, including a degree in microbiology.  He has always wanted to be a doctor.

On Feb. 5, two days after his virtual interview with the University of Washington School of Medicine, he heard the good news.

"I was volunteering at our indoor track meet, and I missed a call," Chris recalls.  I went outside to see who it was, and it was Washington.  I can't tell you how excited I was.  The word spread through the team during the meet, and everybody was thrilled.  I'm so looking forward to it, but there is a lot of stress and anxiety that goes along with that, I realize."

A Laramie native, Henry is receiving his opportunity through a program known as WAMI which is a collaboration between the University of Washington, our UW as well as the states of Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.  Only a handful of hopefuls are accepted into the program each year.  The application is a year-long process, which includes three interviews, one in Seattle and two here in Wyoming.  

Henry's journey will include four years of medical school, and three-to-seven years of residency.  Chris' brother, Josh, is currently in residency at the University of Washington Medical Center.

"I'm proud of my athletic accomplishments, but this is the biggest step toward what I want to do," Chris says.  "I'm just so excited about it." 

What kind of a doctor would he like to become?  "I originally thought about emergency medicine like my brother (Josh)," he says.  "Then I became very interested in pediatrics. Honestly I haven't ruled out any specialty.  I'm open to it all."

Caitlyn Skavdahl is a native of Casper, and was an outstanding member of the Cowgirl golf team. A tremendous student, she earned her degree in international studies in three years, and then got a master's in public administration.

She has recently been accepted to The Ohio State University Law School, one of the top law schools in the country.  She will start in the Fall.

Caitlyn's dad, Scott, lettered for the Cowboy football team in the late 1980's, and is currently an attorney in Casper.  

"My dad is a lawyer and I really didn't think I wanted to do that growing up," Caitlyn says. "But once I got into high school and I saw how I could change things for the better, I decided to pursue law.  I ended up selecting Ohio State because it offered all of the programs I was interested in, plus the internships and possible travel involved.

"I actually wasn't planning to get a master's, but the opportunity was there and it turned out to be extremely helpful for my future. I had the opportunity to interact with a lot of public administration people, non-traditional students, who were already in the real world. That was really helpful.  There was also a lot of writing involved.  It was just a great experience, and certainly will help me in what I want to do.

"Sports law is one of the areas I'm interested in, and obviously Ohio State has a robust athletic program to say the least.

"I'm thankful for the University of Wyoming and for being involved in athletics," Caitlyn continues. "People don't realize what goes on behind the scenes for a student-athlete.  The work ethic, and the time management I learned being involved in both worlds will help me in every part of my life.  Going to class and being an athlete are full-time jobs.  My dad always speaks about the things he learned as a student-athlete and I totally agree.

"I am pretty nervous about the challenge ahead, but really excited.  I laugh at my mother because I told her how nervous I was about going to law school.  She told me that I had hit a lot of golf balls in front of lots of people, how could I be nervous for this." 

Pat Arnold begins the next step in his life's process in August at the University of Nebraska Medical School in his hometown of Omaha.

"I always wanted to be a doctor since I was a kid," says the former Cowboy offensive lineman.  "My mother is in medicine and it's obviously a phenomenal field."

Like Henry, Pat has an eye on a specialty, anesthesiology, but is keeping an open mind.

"I just want to help people, I want to help manage their pain.

"I will be forever grateful to the University of Wyoming and to the football program," he continues. "Balancing tough classes with playing Division I football and all of the huge time demands will do me well as I pursue medicine.  There was a lot of deadlines and lots of stress. I will never forget the support UW gave me though.  It helped me get a great education, and football allowed me to do it debt free.

"Now the big loans will start," Pat says with a laugh.  "In fact, I'm going to move back in with my parents. Got to save where I can!"

Spend some time talking to young people like these three, and you feel like the world will be okay after all!