Designing a Career, On and Off the Track at MIT

Krystal Montgomery: A Dual Force in Sports and Design

You will never catch Krystal Montgomery running to class. Literally. She is that fast.

A senior at MIT, Montgomery is majoring in Course 6-3 (Computer Science and Engineering) while also pursuing a minor in Course 4 (Design). Recently, she was named the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Week for the second time after running a national top 10 time in the 800 meters at the Friar Invitational in Providence, Rhode Island. With an impressive personal best of 2:09.51 at the FIRE Meet hosted by Williams College, she ranks eighth nationally among Division III athletes.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Greatness

Her path to success on the track was not without hurdles. After a promising first year that led her to the NCAA Division III finals, Montgomery faced a significant injury during the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships. This setback coincided with the escalating demands of her coursework, causing her to reconsider her athletic career.

“Sophomore year was super tough, academically,” she reflects. “I thought I would quit after my sophomore year and just focus on school.” However, Montgomery discovered new reservoirs of mental toughness and resilience, ultimately leading her to improve her performance both academically and athletically.

A Fusion of Technology and Design

Before joining MIT, Montgomery was already a passionate creator, serving as the president of her high school’s chapter of Girls Who Code. It was natural for her to pursue a major in computer science, but her love for building and creating ignited an interest in exploring design courses. Her journey began with an introductory design class, 4.021 (Design Studio: How to Design), where she had access to workshops and labs filled with high-tech materials.

“It was just crazy to have all these materials at my fingertips,” she recalls. “I learned how to laser cut; spray paint; powder coat; and cut metal, wood, and fabric.” This experience motivated her to delve deeper into design, eventually leading her to courses like 4.031 (Design Studio: Objects and Interaction) and 4.043 (Design Studio: Interaction Intelligence), where she thrived in combining her coding skills with physical design projects.

Looking to the Future

As her time at MIT draws to a close, Montgomery reflects on the importance of cherishing memories over stressing about academic pressures. With a future that holds endless possibilities, she is excited to fuse her athletic acumen with her design capabilities.

“My last two years, I chose to focus on memories instead of being stressed over a lot of things,” she says. “I feel like I chose each of the things I did intentionally.”

As she prepares for her final meet at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Montgomery’s journey exemplifies the harmonious balance of athletics and creativity, serving as an inspiration for future generations of engineers and designers.