by Madison Dors, Student Public Relations Writer
For most toddlers, taking their first steps is an ordinary milestone. For Will Sten, every step was a victory.
Diagnosed with low muscle tone as an infant, Sten struggled to do what most children learn naturally. He didn’t walk until he was 22 months old, and his physical therapist cautioned his parents that he would likely never become an athlete.
This fall, the Cincinnati, Ohio, native will prove just how remarkable God's plans can be. Instead of watching from the sidelines, Sten will arrive at Cedarville University’s Getting Started Weekend as a freshman with a plan to major in mechanical engineering and a member of the Yellow Jackets’ cross country and track teams.
Cedarville University's Getting Started Weekend Welcomes More Than 1,000 New Students
Cedarville University will welcome more than 1,000 new students to campus during Getting Started Weekend from Aug. 14-16. The university is expected to set another enrollment record, continuing a streak that dates back to 2009. Throughout the weekend, students like Sten will move into their residence halls, explore academic and extracurricular opportunities, form connections with new and current students and gather for worship. Parents will also participate in workshops and worship sessions designed to help them support their students as they begin their college experience.
How an Early Diagnosis Shaped One Cedarville Student's Journey
Sten’s journey to arriving at Cedarville this Getting Started Weekend is a testament to perseverance and God’s faithfulness. For him, going fromlearning to walk to competing as a runner has been marked by challenges. At his one-year checkup, Sten was given foot braces, referred to physical therapy and given the prognosis that he would likely never become an athlete. Still, his parents were determined to give him a normal childhood by encouraging him to overcome his physical limitations and pursue his interests.
“My parents pushed me to participate in any sport that I wanted and never made me question if I could do it,” said Sten. “Rather than living in fear, they trusted in God and believed that He had a good plan.”
That outlook shaped Sten’s confidence, and gradually, he learned to walk, ride a bike and even join elementary and middle school soccer teams. But as he grew and found a love for sports, he realized he was more prone to injury than other kids. Because the muscles surrounding his knees provided less support, the joints absorbed more stress during physical activity, and he developed a ligament strain.
Overcoming Osteochondritis Dissecans to Return to Competition
In summer 2020, Sten's doctors diagnosed him with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a condition in which the bone in his knee slowly wore away and formed a ridge that, if left untreated, could cause part of the bone to break off. Recovery required him to stop all physical activity except walking and could take anywhere from months to years if surgery became necessary.
“OCD of the knee was possibly the toughest obstacle I have faced in my life,” said Sten. “I would even say I became a bit depressed as I felt trapped and isolated from anything I wanted to do; COVID-19 and my OCD really limited what I was able to do that summer.”
Looking back, Sten said there were many moments where he saw God working through his OCD recovery. Because doctors caught it early, recovery only took nine months before Sten was back to playing basketball and running his first season of track. Sten also said that he was blessed to have grown up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where one of the leading pediatric specialists for elbow and knee OCD practices.
From Childhood Challenges to College Athletics
While running track in seventh grade, Sten discovered a passion for distance running. One year later, Sten won Cedarville's Friendship Invitational cross-country race. Though his high school seasons included several injuries, the support Sten received from his team encouraged him to persist. Over the course of his high school career, Sten became his varsity team's top runner as a freshman, qualified for the Ohio state championship and signed with Cedarville’s cross-country and track teams.
Faith and Perseverance Guide Will Sten's College Journey
Sten said that when considering a college to attend, Cedarville stood out to him for its commitment to a biblical worldview, beautiful campus and wide range of academic programs. "Coming to Cedarville is simply a testament to God’s faithfulness,” said Sten. “Although the path has not always been smooth, God’s plan is good even when we do not feel like it, and being able to go to Cedarville and seeing how God has guided me through trials reminds me that God is still faithful.”
As Sten joins the cross-country and track teams, he is reminded of how far God has brought him from the days when his physical therapist told his parents he would likely never be an athlete. He hopes to contribute by scoring points in each meet, but he says his top priority is being a godly and supportive teammate.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
