It's not that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but it's your best friends who are your diamonds. It's your best friends who are supremely resilient, made under pressure and of astonishing value. They're everlasting; they can cut glass if needed.
- Writer Gina Barreca

(Editor's Note - a shorter version of this story appeared in the spring issue of the University of Sioux Falls Magazine)

SIOUX FALLS -- When they cross the graduation stage at the Washington Pavilion on Sunday (May 20), Kylie Herlihy, Laura Kunz and Rachel Huffman, who have shared so much life in a short span, will end their time together at the University of Sioux Falls.

The remaining days at USF will undoubtedly be filled with both happy and sad tears for the three USF Track and Field/Cross Country teammates. Yet, these "best friends" have an unbreakable bond which will tie them together for a lifetime.

From competing in athletics in track and field and cross country, rooming together, developing their faith, and learning the value of service, Herlihy, Kunz and Huffman have a bond that radiates like a diamond in the light.

 

"Our friendship has been so much sharing and connection," said Kunz, who will graduate with a master's degree in business administration during the graduate ceremony at 10 a.m. Sunday and witness her two friends walking the undergraduate stage at 2:30 p.m.(view ceremony at USF's You Tube site). "It has been a beautiful experience. Within friendship and living with someone, you experience life with them. You encourage and support them, despite personality differences, and are always right here for each other."  

Finding a path to Sioux Falls
The trio arrived at USF unknown to each other from across the country including Kunz of Oklahoma, Herlihy of California and Huffman of Nebraska.   

Kunz ended up choosing USF over Augustana after spending summers in Hartford, S.D., with her father, Greg.

Herlihy matriculated to USF in bit of a circuitous manner. While unsure if she wanted to run in college, she didn't visit campus but applied due to USF's faith-based perspective. When her application reached Keegan Day of USF Admissions, he asked her if he could share her information with then USF cross country and distance coach Grant Watley.

"My dad's family is from Rapid City so I knew about South Dakota. At that time, I was developing my faith and wanted to be surrounded like-minded people," said Herlihy, a business administration major at USF.

 

As for Huffman, she only considered a couple of schools including USF and Nebraska-Kearney, where her brother, Dan, had run for the Lopers. 
 
"A lot like Kylie, USF's faith-based perspective and strong academic rep was what I was looking for," said Huffman, a psychology, sociology and social sciences major.

Initially, the three women stayed to themselves, trying to adjust to college life, including challenges of time management, new teammates and coaches and a new home.

In time, the three student-athletes, who all have a passion for running, began interacting with each other at practice and on bus trips to competition. 

After Christmas as freshmen, Herlihy and Kunz discovered they had a lot in common, became friends which led to rooming together.  

At the same time, Herlihy, who proved to be the catalyst in the trio's friendship, was establishing rapport with Huffman, who was focused on training, studies and her job as a resident assistant. It wasn't long before Huffman and Kunz, through a little persuasion from Herlihy, began talking and finding they too had a lot in common. By the time they were juniors, the three women were roommates.

Building a bond of friendship

 "Finding friends that I can talk to about the ups and downs of life has been the biggest blessing," said Herlihy, noting the bond grew tighter after the three friends spent spring break together at Huffman's home in rural Gering, Neb. "We love cooking together and grocery shopping. And, we really like to play card games, although that can get competitive."  

Sometimes, as friends do, they do goofy stuff. "Kylie and I like to go on easy runs and just act silly and obnoxious while running. We call ourselves the 'goofy goobers,' and laugh until it hurts," Kunz said.

As happens in relationships, two years of living together can test friendship. From learning to live together, boyfriends, mixed training schedules and work, they have weathered difficulties to become even closer. 

 

"As one point, we questioned if our friendship was seasonal but we had a deep underlying love for each other and didn't want our friendship to fall away as it means so much," said Herlihy. "Our faith has helped us bond as it is a part of our life we are able to grow in together and know we have each other to help along this walk."

Huffman, Kunz decide to return
As 2017-18 approached, the friendship faced a major test as Kunz and Huffman faced a crossroad on whether to graduate, move on or come back for another year.

"In talking with Laura and Kylie, we wanted to stay together another year and not rush through life too quickly," said Huffman, who after a conversation with her parents chose to come back to USF. Kunz also made the decision to return and enrolled in USF's MBA program.

Subsequently, 2017-18 has seemingly flown by with graduation just days away. It has been a time of bonding, celebrating athletic accomplishments, and reaffirming their Christian faith through a commitment of giving.

 

Kunz, who in 108 events at USF had 45 top-10 finishes with 22 in the top-five and two titles, and Herlihy led USF to its second-best finish ever at the NSIC Cross Country Championships. In February, all three women helped USF to a program-best sixth place finish at the NSIC Indoor Track Championships. And, their final track outdoor season, fraught with frustration due to adverse weather conditions, ended last Saturday (May 12) at the NSIC Outdoor Championships in Winona, Minn.. 

Leaving legacy of leadership

While their personal bond was growing, the trio was also having an impact on USF's cross country and distance program, noted USF Head Women's Track Coach Doug Peterson.

"They showed commitment as friends and their commitment and leadership to the program really stood out," said Peterson.

Being part of the program not only enabled the trio to help build successful USF teams but fostered a lifetime of friendship.

"It has sure helped to spend time together," said Huffman, who has recorded 30 top-five finishes, 16 top-3 finishes and captured six titles in track and field or cross country at USF. "Being together so frequently has been a test of our friendship, but it also strengthens it since we look out for each other and look to each other every weekend and during practices. Many hours on a bus and at meets has added to a lot of quality time together."

Embracing USF's Culture of Service
 
While each of the three friends have achieved significantly in competition and in the classroom, they have live Christ-centered lives, embracing USF's Culture of Service. Among their service work includes feeding the needy at the Sioux Falls Banquet and working at a Christian summer camp ground.
 
For Huffman and Herlihy, service work will continue as they have decided to venture to Ecuador to work in an orphanage and bed and breakfast run by Herlihy's aunt, Jenica Brigham.  

 "We feel called to do that together and experience more of the heavenly joy and love in serving together," said Herlihy, who competed in nearly 100 events with 37 top-10 finishes, seven top-five results and two steeplechase titles at USF in track and field and cross country. "Our faith has helped us bond as it is a part of our life we are able to grow in together and know we have each other to help along this walk. It is awesome to know the Lord has a purpose, part of his purpose was to bring us together, bless us with these friendships also with intent to aid one another in furthering his kingdom, glorifying him and learning more of Him. Proverbs 21:17 says 'As Iron sharpens Iron, one friend sharpens another.' I love this verse and immediately think of Laura and Rachel and what we have.

As their USF experience draws to a close and the three put on graduation robes and caps Sunday, Kunz, whose future plans are personal in nature, hopes one day to join her friends in Ecuador. Regardless, she knows the friendship is unshakable.  

"USF has meant so much to us, including making us more authentic believers in Christ," says Kunz. "Our friendship and faith will grow even more because of what we experienced together."
 
 
 
 
 
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