SIOUX FALLS, SD – Senior University of Sioux Falls Track and Field standout Mercy Oyadare hopes to leave a lasting impact in Sioux Falls, whether in athletic competition, her studies, through service to the community or with her voice.
 
Focused and upbeat, Oyadare is leaving an impression at USF where she continues to exhibit special leadership skills, both in competition and in the campus community. On the track, the senior from Sioux City, Iowa, was part of USF's record-breaking (47.07) 4x100 meter relay squad (Sarah Troescher, KaNya Henderson, Oyadare, Chloe Peterson) that placed third at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in 2019. 
 
That performance is one of three indoor/outdoor program top-10 times that Oyadare has been a part of at USF. In the 2020 indoor season, she clocked 59.73 in the 400-meters which places her ninth all-time at the school. In that same indoors she was part of a distance medley relay squad that clocked a 12:35.24 (sixth, NSIC Indoor Championships) for the fifth-best all-time clocking indoors at USF. 
 
"Seeing my own progress is what drives me to compete," said Oyadare, a media studies and criminal justice major. "I'm always curious just how far I can go and push my body." 

 
Her work ethic and determination have certainly contributed to her athletic success over the last few seasons. Oyadare has continually pushed herself to be better, which includes constantly running personal bests and then beating them again. At USF, she has recorded 31 top-8 finishes with an individual title, 12 top-3 finishes and three all-time top-10 program marks.
 
From the day she arrived at USF, Oyadare found success on the track. In the 2017-2018 Indoor season, Oyadare ran a personal best time in the 55 (7.53, sixth place) at the Dordt College Indoor Invitational, ran another personal best in the 200 (1:02.41) at the SDSU DII Invitational, placed second in the 200 (26.73) at the SDSU Last Chance Meet, and ran a leg of the 4x400 at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Conference Championships. 
 
During the 2017-2018 Outdoor Track Season, Oyadare placed 21st in the 100 (12.99) at the NSIC Outdoor Track and Field Conference Championships, and ran a leg of the 4x400 that finished 12th at the conference meet. 
 
The following year in 2018-19, Oyadare, who is a four-time Academic All-NSIC performer, continued to push herself and worked even harder. Oyadare placed third in the 200 (26.85) at the CSB-SJU Indoor Invite and set a personal best time in the 60 (7.99) at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Conference Championships. 
 
In the 2018-2019 Outdoor Track and Field season, Oyadare set the bar even higher, placing second in the 100 (12.65) and third in the 200 (26.27, a personal best) at the USD Twilight Meet. She also competed in three events at the NSIC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, running a leg on both the 4x100 (sixth place) and the 4x400 (11^thplace), and ran a personal best in the 100 (12.56).
 
In the 2019-201 Indoor, Oyadare continued to excel. She finished with eight top-8 finishes, including twice earning runner-up finishes. Among her top performances was the 300-meters, when she clocked a personal-best of 43.00. She also ran on the 10^th place 4x400 meter relay (4:05.74) at the NSIC Championships on 2-28-2020. Additionally, she had a PR in the 60-meter of 7.97 (finished 11^th) at the Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn., on Feb. 21, 2020.
An unyielding competitive edge and incredible work ethic has been a part of Oyadare since childhood. 
 
"I just had the desire to join any and every sport and club I could from middle school throughout high school," said Oyadare. "I enjoyed the social aspect but also the challenging aspects." 
 
An ability to relate to others is a gift that Oyadare credits to the value structure passed to her by her parents. Developing bonds of friendship is a social benefit of sports that she finds especially enticing as well. Her teammates mean the world to her.
 
"My teammates honestly make the sport (track and field) so worthwhile," said Oyadare. "They push me, encourage me, and laugh with me, even during the not-so-fun workout days. Track would absolutely not be the same without them, I'm very much a social person and I need my teammates to make the experience a great one," she said.
 
Beyond that energy created from teammates, she also attributes her success to an outstanding coaching staff, who care. 
 
"I can tell that they care when I reflect on the hours and effort they put into us," said Oyadare. "They have so much patience (like, a lot) with us and they're knowledgeable; when I ask why we're doing something, I can expect an educated response."
 
Doug Petersen, the Director of Cross Country and Track and Field at the University of Sioux Falls, recognized Oyadare's strong leadership skills right away.

"Mercy has been a strong team leader here at USF," said Petersen. "She is a Coo Leader on the team and is passionate about the team community and growth. She is just as dedicated to her training and strives to be successful." 
 
Petersen noted Oyadare's determination and work ethic and appreciates her drive to compete.

"Mercy is a very competitive athlete and works hard each day at practice," said Petersen. "She always represents USF and our team in a very positive way." 
 
A hard worker with an even bigger heart, Oyadare steps up through service. It is another aspect of her social persona that makes the senior stand out.
 
"We need to help those who are in need of help, as opposed to shying away from the opportunity," said Oyadare. "Through Service Day, classes I've taken, and fundraisers the team has done, I've been able to give back physically and financially to the Sioux Falls Community." 
 
Giving back and standing up for what she believes in are two things Oyadare has learned from her role model, U.S. Olympian and three-time world champ Allyson Felix. 
 
"I don't know her personally, but Allyson Felix is someone in the track world who has always set an amazing example for me," said Oyadare. "She's poised, hardworking, dedicated, and stands up when something's not right, whether it's Black Lives Matter or maternity issues within her own sport. She's definitely someone I look up to." 
 
Her time at USF seems to have flown by, said Oyadare, who is pleased she made the sprint from Sioux City North to USF four years ago.
 
"I enjoyed the community feel of USF when I visited," said Oyadare. "I knew I could run here, get my degree, and enjoy my college experience." 
 
After blinking once it seems, Oyadare is now in her final year at USF, and has learned something new every day. 
 
"My eyes have been opened and I'm learning more about the world around me, especially with the events that have taken place during the year of 2020," said Oyadare, who is a member of the Task Force on Diversity, Inclusion, Social Justice, Civic Engagement and Advocacy at USF. "I've been having meaningful conversations that allow for me to learn and grow and I'm thankful for the opportunity to also share and teach others." 
 
Oyadare is focused on completing her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Science, and Media Studies with an emphasis in social media. She is contemplating graduate school in political science, public administration or public relations (social media).
 
"I just want to be in a position to positively impact the people in this nation," said Oyadare, who believes she has work to do to grow even more. "I'm not a patient person, but in order to effectively love others as Christ loves us, I need to meet people where they're at," said Oyadare, who has been civic-minded dating to high school when she was on the North Student Council and served on the Mayor Youth Commission in Sioux City. "My mom is still working on instilling patience in me." 
 
The daughter of Billy and Sarah Oyadare, she has learned many life lessons from her parents that have shaped her into the person she is today. "My mom is so unbelievably patient and I hope to be like her one day," said Oyadare. "My dad taught me how important financial responsibility is. I'm not quite there yet, but hopefully once I'm a true adult I'll be able to handle money like a real adult," said Oyadare. 
 
Speaking of 'adulting', Oyadare has found that it's easier to handle big, 'adult' problems by simply talking it out. 
 
"I'm constantly calling my friends to talk through thoughts that run through my head and experiences I'm dealing with," said Oyadare. "Talking through issues helps me process them." 
 
One of the issues in competition is learning to take care of yourself, said Oyadare, who believes that the body deserves a break every once in a while.
 
"When I feel like I need a break, I take a little break," said Oyadare, who draws from her creative side in self-care like choosing face masks, painting nails, and enjoying treats.
 
Her self-care also includes bettering herself in ways not related to her studies, but that will prove important as she steps into the working world. 
 
"I've been learning German for a little over a year now," said Oyadare. "My baby cousins who live in Germany prefer to speak German, so I thought it'd be fun to pick up another language." 
 
And, Oyadare tries to better herself by reading but doing so with a bit of a caveat that she aims to change.
 
"I have a bad habit of starting books and not finishing them," said Oyadare. "But the last book I started, 'Becoming' by (former U.S. First Lady) Michelle Obama, is insightful and inspiring and so interesting. I just need to finish it." 
 
Yet, finishing is something this senior has shown the ability to do as she takes on a promising future with an open mind and a big heart.