Piedmont freshman Reagen Pattishall is ready to take on the world, one lap at a time

At just 18 years old, Reagen Pattishall’s track cycling prowess has taken her to destinations across the United States and even beyond its borders. Now, it brings her right here to Piedmont University.

“It’s like biking on the inside of a bowl on a banked track,” says Reagen of the sport she fell in love with at age seven. Originally a competitive downhill skier, she sought a sport to do in the skiing off-season. She quickly realized her passion and talent for track cycling and began pursuing it full-time.

Over the course of her career, Reagen’s skills have gained her increasing renown; she is now recognized as one of the nation’s top track cyclists, competing and training USA Cycling, the sport’s national governing body. In August, she traveled with Team USA to Luoyang, China for the 2024 Junior Track Cycling World Championships.

“It was incredible,” Reagen says; though her busy competition schedule kept her from seeing much of the city, she got the opportunity to meet cyclists from all over the world and take part in “top-tier racing.” She now graduates from the junior level to begin competing in elite ranks. Last month, she took part in her first competition as part of Team Piedmont at the Collegiate Track Cycling National Championships.

Reagen has impressive goals on and off the track. Outside of cycling, she is working on her first semester as a finance major, inspired by her father’s career in financial consulting. She hopes to launch her work in finance when she finishes competing. But before that, she has international aspirations.

“Of course, the big dream is the Olympics,” she says while describing her path forward. Through her training with USA Cycling and Piedmont, she hopes to progress through the ranks and compete on sporting’s biggest stage. Piedmont’s support, Reagen says, is helping make that possible.

“My coach gives me a lot of freedom in my training program,” she reports, “and my professors have been really understanding.” She believes the flexibility and personalized education that Piedmont provides will help her successfully pursue both her academic and athletic goals.

“It’s been really good so far,” Reagen says with a grin. And with just two months in school under her belt, the Piedmont community is in for a fabulous four years watching her shine.