College students will be converging on college campuses across the country in the coming days. At Cedarville University, where a projected 1,175 freshmen will move into their residence halls beginning Friday, August 15, enrollment trends appear to be favorable for another record enrollment.
With the arrival of the new students — and upper classmen later in the weekend — the energy on campus is unmistakable.
During Cedarville’s traditional Getting Started Weekend, new students will move into residence halls, attend workshops, take placement exams, explore student activities and gather for worship — all while forming the friendships and rhythms that will shape their college years. Parents, too, will share in the experience through dedicated workshops and worship moments designed to help them support their students with confidence and hope.
Among those stepping into this new chapter are twins Julie and Ari Tompkins — two standout athletes from Mogadore, Ohio, whose journey to Cedarville is defined by faith, family and fierce competition. For them, the start of college isn’t just a new season — it’s the continuation of a lifelong bond and a calling to grow in both their sport and their spiritual walk. The sisters chose to room together for their freshman year, bringing their lifelong bond into their shared dorm as they prepare to compete on the university’s nationally ranked track and field team.
The twins are no strangers to high achievement. Throughout high school, they excelled in track and field, basketball and cross country, earning multiple state championship appearances. In track, their shared passion culminated in back-to-back state runner-up finishes in the 1,600-meter relay — a feat made even more meaningful by their bond.
“We’ve been called ultimate competitors,” said Ari, “but we’re also each other’s biggest supporters. Every race, every practice — we push each other to be better.”
That competitive drive was honed early. Raised in a sports-loving family, the twins learned the value of hard work from their father, a former wrestler. “We always had to do something every season,” said Julie, “and we grew up going head-to-head in everything.”
Though their high school careers were filled with accolades, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Injuries sidelined them at different times, and the heartbreak of losing a state title by 0.01 seconds tested their resolve. But they credit those moments — and their faith — for shaping their perspective.
“We struggled with the idea that our sport defined us,” said Julie, “but getting second helped us realize that God sees us the same whether we win or lose. That was a powerful lesson.”
Their spiritual growth became a foundation for everything else, especially as they considered where to attend college. Though they initially considered separate paths, the idea of splitting up proved too difficult.
“We’ve done everything together,” said Julie. “Even if we’d gone to different schools, it would’ve felt like something was missing.”
Their decision to come to Cedarville was fueled by assistant track and field coach Max Kittle, the track team and the feeling of home on campus. “On our second visit, we practiced with the team and went to chapel,” said Ari. “It just felt like home.”
Now first-year students and teammates on the Yellow Jackets’ track and field team, the Tompkins sisters are ready for the next level — both in sports and in life. Julie is majoring in exercise science with hopes of becoming a physical therapist for a professional sports team. Ari is studying criminal justice and plans to become a firefighter, EMT or FBI agent.
“Getting Started is a special time for incoming Yellow Jackets,” said Lianna Peters, Getting Started director. “We want new students to be excited to participate in all that Cedarville has to offer.”
Returning student leaders remember the impact of the week vividly.
“I remember the nerves and excitement as I moved 13 hours from home and saw Sting leaders lining the road,” said Eli Nord, another Getting Started director. “That weekend helped me find my footing.”
“Through my first weekend on campus, I was able to settle into my dorm and classes, meet some of my closest friends and get plugged into the community,” said Katey Decker, another Getting Started Director.
Julie and Ari are hopeful for what’s ahead — spiritually, academically, and athletically. Julie’s goals include earning straight As, growing in her faith and helping the track team reach Nationals. Ari is focused on building a strong community, preparing for EMT certification and competing at a high level.
And though their futures may one day lead them in different directions, for now, they’re exactly where they belong: side by side, at the starting line of something new.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian?institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by?The Wall Street Journal?as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at?cedarville.edu.?