Maria is a political science major from Billings, Mont. She competes on Whitworth’s swimming team, waking up at the crack of dawn for practice, going to classes after and even working a part-time job! We asked Maria about her experience as a student-athlete:
“During the season, a typical day usually starts very early in the morning. We have a two-hour morning practice starting at 5:30 a.m., and after that I usually get some breakfast, then go to however many classes I have that day. After classes, I would go to another two-hour practice from 3-5 p.m. … All in all, the whole team trains about 20 hours a week.
“The most rewarding aspect about being on my team is the relationships I’ve built with my teammates and coaches. I know if I ever needed anything, I have 32 reliable people who would be happy to help me. Being a part of this swim team and experiencing these fun memories with my best friends is something I will always cherish. I also love the personal connections I have made with my coaches and am thankful for all the work they put into this team and program. My teammates and coaches’ continuous support for me have helped guide me on the journey of trying to be the best version of myself that I can be.
“Someone who has made a personal impact on me throughout my Whitworth swimming career is my teammate and roommate Paige Orlando. After every race, no matter how it went, Paige would always tell me how proud she is of me and how much she loves to watch me swim. She is such a great support system not only for me but the whole team.”
Worth a Look 