"Track is something you can do by yourself," Griffin says. "It's possible to do your own event and have no contact with other team members. But here it is definitely a team effort.

"The team gave me a lot of motivation to do well, and as co-captain this year, I've tried to foster team unity so that others can have that support," Griffin says.

In addition to team support, Harvard weight coach Al Bashian also played a major role in developing Griffin's talents as an athlete.

"When I started at Harvard, throwing distances weren't that great in the Ivies," Griffin says. "My coach really encouraged me to stay with it. I get frustrated practicing alone sometimes, so it's great to have him there to help me."

Although Griffin feels that her experience at Harvard has been positive overall, she says she is ready to move on with her life.

"It was great being here," Griffin says. "Everything is so close and so convenient. All my friends are here, the facilities are so close. I could do all the things I wanted. I know I'll lose a lot of things when I leave."