Four student athletes joined Eastern’s Women’s Center on March 10 for a “Women in Sports” panel. Celeste Petrowsky, Emily Jones, Natasha Frisch, and Taylor Smith represented various sports offered at Eastern, including women’s rugby, track and field, swimming, and volleyball.

The panelists shared their experiences balancing academics and athletics while navigating the challenges of being female athletes in collegiate sports. The panelists highlighted their resilience and determination to succeed. They showed how they mitigate work and challenges and provided useful insights to students pursuing similar paths.

“We’ve been striving to reach different groups of people,” said Frida Nieto Gonzalez, graduate intern at the Women’s Center. She explained that female athletes are often underrepresented in university discussions. “We’re giving them a voice that faculty do not usually see,” she said.

One of the key topics discussed was setting priorities and a healthy work-life balance. “It really comes to deciding what your top priorities are; your non-negotiables,” said Jones, a field sprinter for women’s track and field.

A psychology major with a double minor in biology and healthcare management, Jones also serves as a student ambassador for the Intercultural Center and holds positions on two club e-boards. She explained that clearly defining priorities helps ensure that top goals get accomplished. “For me, it’s God, track, and school.”

Jones also shared a strategy she uses to ensure her assignments are completed. She takes advantage of short breaks between obligations to get work done. “For practice, the field is a two-minute drive. If I look through my notes, that’s something,” said Jones. “I utilize those times to get things done.”

“You’re a student first,” said Petrowsky, a senior forward for women’s rugby. Juggling sports, studies, work, and e-board positions, she ensures nothing important to her has to be sacrificed. “For me, missing practice is non-negotiable.”

Frisch, a track/field and swim team member, highlighted the importance of faculty support. “All of my professors know I’m in sports,” she said.

A junior studying English and communication with a minor in sustainable energy, Frisch finds it necessary to communicate with faculty. “I feel like that really helps with support in academics,” she said. In her experience, faculty have been understanding and willing to work with her. “They’ve had time to get to know me, and know that I’m not just trying to get out of assignments.”

Another major topic discussed was the disparities between women’s and men’s sports. Petrowsky pointed out the fact that women’s rugby had an undefeated season last semester. “We were number one in our tier in club sports. The men’s team is put on a pedestal, while we’re kind of knocked down,” she said. “We’re not really asked any questions about our sport.”

Jones shared that she doesn’t typically like telling people she’s a sprinter for the track team. “Every time I say that, people say ‘oh I can beat you,’ or ‘I want to race.’ The men’s track team doesn’t get those comments,” she said. However, she doesn’t let negative comments get to her. “If I insult you in another language, it means nothing to you. When someone insults me, I give it no meaning.”

Smith, a senior middle blocker for the women’s volleyball team, added that the negative comments she’s received have helped her become a stronger athlete and person. “Negative things I hear now push me to be better in what I do and what I want to do,” she said.