University of Lynchburg

Serving as a graduate assistant for the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs at his alma mater, Straits was a member of the 2021 ODAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships team, earning All-ODAC laurels in the Men's 5000m. The two-time All-ODAC performer in cross country earned two USTFCCCA Academic All-American accolades during the fall seasons of 2019 and 2021. Straits also joined the Lynchburg men's team 2021 trip to Louisville, concluding his collegiate cross-country season with a PR of 25:58 at the 2021 NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championships. Straits is pursuing a master of public health (MPH) degree with aspirations of working in global environmental health policy.