For Kerianne Downing ’17 ’19G, staying busy was simply part of the routine.

Whether it was competing in one of three sports, balancing athletics with academics or taking on the challenge of the heptathlon, Downing embraced everything that came with being a student-athlete at Husson University.

That willingness to compete — and compete in just about anything — helped Downing become one of the early standouts of the Husson women’s track & field program and ultimately earned her a place in the Husson Sports Hall of Fame.

Downing starred for the Eagles from 2013-17, putting together a career defined by versatility and consistency. A two-time North Atlantic Conference champion in the 100-meter hurdles, she also captured a conference championship in the high jump and won the 2016 New England Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the event.

She was also a two-time All-New England honoree in the heptathlon and finished her career as Husson’s program record holder in both the high jump at 1.54 meters and the heptathlon with 3,835 points. At the time of her induction, Downing owns six marks inside the Husson indoor track & field all-time top 10 and five more in the outdoor record book.

For someone who competed across so many different events, the heptathlon proved to be a natural fit.

Downing’s accomplishments extended well beyond any one event.

She totaled five event victories, 36 top-five finishes and 69 top-10 performances during her career, earned Husson’s Outdoor Track & Field Eagle Award in 2014 and was named Conference Senior Scholar Athlete in 2017.

Still, when Downing looks back on her time in the green and gold, one team accomplishment stands above the rest.

In 2015, Downing helped Husson capture the first NAC championship in women’s track & field program history. The Eagles claimed the championship by the narrowest of margins — just half a point.

That championship became part of the foundation for a Husson track & field program that was still relatively young when Downing competed.

For Downing, being recognized as one of the athletes who helped establish that foundation makes her Hall of Fame induction even more meaningful.

Downing admits the news came as a surprise.

After competing alongside so many talented teammates throughout her career, she was honored simply to be considered. The call also gave her an opportunity to reconnect with former coach Kate Goupee, one of the many people who made Downing’s Husson experience memorable.

For all of the championships, records and individual accolades, it is those relationships that continue to stand out most.

Athletics also provided Downing with something else — structure.

A three-sport athlete during her time at Husson, Downing found that athletics helped her manage the demands of being a college student rather than making those demands more difficult.

The lessons learned from balancing those responsibilities have remained with her.

Downing earned her bachelor of science degree in kinesiology with a concentration in human movement sciences from Husson in 2017 before completing her doctorate in physical therapy at Husson in 2019.

Today, Downing works as a physical therapist, having worked closely with individuals with brain injuries as well as the geriatric population. Away from work, her schedule remains plenty busy after welcoming her second son this summer.

In many ways, the discipline required to balance three sports and academics at Husson prepared her for the life she leads today.

Downing credits her parents and siblings for pushing her athletically and encouraging her to try different sports, along with her high school coaches for encouraging her to continue competing in college. She also credits her Husson coaches for providing the flexibility necessary to compete in multiple sports and, most importantly, believing in her even during moments when she struggled to believe in herself.

Now, Downing’s name will forever have a place alongside the many accomplished student-athletes who came before and after her.

For an athlete who poured herself into competition throughout her time at Husson, the recognition carries special meaning.