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First-Year Student Spotlight:

Ava Reynolds ’28

Being a first-year student can be life changing…perhaps even a little nerve-racking. Welcoming these student athletes to their new home away from home, Brianna Liebro ’25 has discovered some insights into these new Hawks’ lives and their experiences at Hartwick.

Ava Reynolds defending goal during field hockey game

Sport: First-year goalie on Hartwick’s field hockey team and attacker on the women’s lacrosse team
Major: Art
Hometown: South Glens, New York

Ava Reynolds’ perspective on the team and her goals in life are highly motivated by her upper-year peers and has many people to look up to when needing anything. She states, “The role upper-year students play in supporting first-year athletes is huge because they have been in my shoes before. It was really nice because they guided me in learning about a new school and a new sports environment. The upper-year students are also someone you can lean on if you’re having any personal or emotional issues or are doubting yourself.”

Reynolds’ biggest surprise about being a first-year athlete is how much free time she has when she effectively manages her schedule. “I’ve been able to get my homework done and study for exams without feeling like I wished I could’ve hung out with my friends,” she said.  As she points out, at Hartwick, coaches and staff are very flexible and helpful to student-athletes as they know the sport can be demanding.

Ava Reynolds '28

“It's nice to be able to balance my social, academic and athletic life.”

Ava Reynolds ’28

First-Year Student Athlete and Art Major

The transition for Reynolds from high school has been challenging but as she notes, when surrounded by the right people and having the right outlook on life, it’s achievable.

“It’s more fast-paced and independent,” she said. “You spend a lot of time with your team, which is good because you bond and learn from each other.” Her advice to any high school student looking to pursue a college sport is this: “Don’t doubt yourself. If you’re willing to put in the work and your heart is really in it and you’re doing what you love, anything is possible.”

Reynolds herself has faced the decision of whether to play in college. “I was inspired to pursue college athletics because when I was growing up, I loved competition,” she said, “And as I grew older, I never wanted it to end. I chose to pursue athletics at Hartwick because the environment is so positive and very family-like.”

One of her most significant learning experiences Reynolds is grateful for is being able to handle setbacks in her sport., “It’s never easy, but surrounding yourself with the best support system and people who always have your back and pick you up is one of the most important things when I need to handle a setback.” She points out that the teams at Hartwick feel like family, which is what is needed to have the most rewarding season.

Most important for Reynolds is the support system her coaches have given her throughout her journey. “Coaches have a huge impact,” she said. “They are always checking in to make sure I’m okay personally, academically and physically. They will go out of their way to listen whenever you need them to and they are always a great resource for anything you may need.”

 

Spotlight by Brianna Liebro ’25

November 12, 2024
Spotlight, Student Spotlight

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