HIGH POINT, N.C. — High Point University Athletics celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day by recognizing the inspirational women who empowered the young women of HPU Athletics to follow their dreams.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day allows us to celebrate the strong women within athletics and those who paved the way and brought inspiration to today's female athletes. Some of HPU's female student-athletes participated in a photoshoot to show off their feminine power in honor of this special day. Following the photoshoot, the girls were asked to name a strong indiviual that they felt empowered them to compete in athletics.
For Amaria McNear, a 6-foot-3 center, cited the WNBA as her role model as the athletes helped her feel more comfortable with her height on and off the court.
"Growing up, I was self conscious about my height," McNear said. "They're all big and they're out there playing confident so that made me have confidence off the court."
Fellow teammate Nevaeh Zavala chimed in with agreement, citing one of the greatest tennis players of all-time.
"I would say my role model in sports is probably Serena Williams," Zavala said. "Just because of her power and drive as a female athlete and for her to be one of the best tennis players out there. And also because of her size. Like what Mari said, she's pretty strong for a woman and I've been pretty big my whole life so it helps me have more confidence when it comes to the sport."
Many of the women interviewed mentioned powerful female pro athletes as their inspiration. Karlea Duhon, a heptathlon athlete in track and field, talked about Allyson Felix. Felix uses her platform to empower women to "have it all" pushing back against the rhetoric that women should give up athletic dreams to become caregivers to their families.
Lindsay Cooper, a hurdler, mentioned Kendra Harrison and her tenacity. Harrison experienced a setback when she didn't make the Olympic Trials, but continued to persevere. Not long after, Harrison broke the world record for the women's 100m hurdles with a time of 12.20 in 2016 at the London Müller Anniversary Games.
HPU soccer defender Amelia Courbron cited World Cup Champion Alex Morgan as her idol and spoke at length about the incredible impact she had on Courbron's development as a soccer player.
"She's shown that hard work, dedication and perseverance can lead to amazing success, and that is an important message for young athletes," Courbron said. "I've worn the number 13 my whole soccer career because of her. I loved how she's used her platform to empower and encourage the next generation of soccer players."
Elizabeth Ritter, a distance runner, also looked up to a professional soccer player in her youth. Ritter cited Mia Hamm as her idol due to Hamm's work ethic and resilience.
"She once said 'True vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when no one else is looking,''" Ritter said. "That's something that rings in my ears to this day."
Ella Perna, a sophomore golfer, choose former HPU standout Sarah Kahn as her role model. Kahn is a recent graduate from the HPU who broke several program records over the course of her career. According to Perna, Kahn is her idol because she taught her how to be a better teammate, leader, and golfer.
Pia Cavallaro, an attacker in lacrosse, also spoke of a hometown hero. Cavallaro named Kayla Trainer, a former lacrosse player at Syracuse University.
"Being from that area, she had a big impact in the sport and how I play it now," Cavallaro said. "She was an amazing attacker and she's coaching now at SU, but I feel like she was definitely someone who impacted me in my game growing up."
Cavallaro's teammate, Aryss Lindsey, talked about legendary basketball player, Cheryl Miller and the legacy she left behind for aspiring female athletes.
Letizia Marsico, a thrower on the track and field team, also mentioned legacy with her idol, Sandra Perkovic. Perkovic, a discus thrower from Croatia, has been an athlete since 2007, proving women can be extraordinarily successful over a long period of time.
Although several inspirational athletes were named over the course of the interviews, half of the HPU student-athletes interviewed named their mom, dad or other family members as their idols. Distance runner Charli Montalvo spoke at length about how her mom inspires her to be a strong female athlete.
"I really look up to her because I saw her play and she just showed me what it looked like to empower women and be the best athlete I could be," Montalvo said. "I was able to carry that through and even now she's someone I look up to, to just show me the strength of being a woman in sports."
Leah Malone, a junior forward on the soccer team, echoed Montalvo's sentiments when speaking of her mom.
"She's one of the most hard working people that I know and she's done a lot for our family," Malone said. "She's helped me with a lot of things and I always appreciate her and I hope she knows it. I'm very thankful for everything that she does for me and I wouldn't be who I am without her."
Malone's teammate, Lindsey DeHaven, agreed with Malone's sentiments, stating that her parents are her biggest role model.
"They've done so much for me and sacrificed so much to get me to where I am today," DeHaven said. "I always step out on the field thinking about them and what they've done to help me get here. They are my biggest role model and what I strive to be when I grow up."
Every sport had a student-athlete exclaim with glee that her mom was her greatest supporter and biggest role model. Mikayla Moxley, a distance runner, mentioned how her mom supported her through all stages of her running career. Shakira Baskerville, a guard on the basketball team, talked about her grandma and mom, both former athletes, and how they teach her and push her to do her best.
Ana-Elena Kusters, a junior golfer, talked about both of her parents stating her father pushes her keep going even when things get hard, while her mother teaches her to be compassionate and in-touch with her emotions, making her a better teammate and player overall. Gracie Vickery, a freshman midfielder on the lacrosse team, credited her mom for her participation in lacrosse. Vickery talked about how her mother would drive her two hours to practice two to three times a week when she as in eighth grade, saying she wouldn't be where she is without her.
Although every sport had at least one athlete talk about their family, volleyball was the only team to have all three players who participated cite a member of their family as their idol.
"I have many great role models in my life. All the women in my family: my mom, my sister, my grandma," Arica Davis, a middle blocker, said. "They're not afraid to be themselves: they're authentic, genuine, and kind-hearted, which are all things I aspire to be."
"That is such a good answer!" Davis' teammates, Baylea Sparks and Isabella Healy giggled in support of their new teammate. Both Sparks and Healy shared Davis' sentiments when asked about their idols, citing individuals from their families as women who empower them to compete fearlessly on the court. Sparks spoke highly of her mother while Healy commended her twin for being her rock.
Although several incredible HPU student-athletes had great things things to say about their families, Maddie Hensley, a graduate student on the golf team, best summed up the incredible impact a mother can have.
"She's just one of my closest friends," Hensley said. "I can trust her with anything and she always pushes me to be the best person, player, and teammate that I can be. I love you mom!"
It is difficult to name and properly thank every inspirational woman in sports, whether she is making strides in the athletics industry or at home with her family. Thank you to all strong and powerful women who paved the way and empowered our current female student-athletes. And a special thank you to all the mothers out there raising and supporting the strong, competitive women who find a home at High Point University.
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