Sophomore Grace Maliska is back in action during outdoor season after an injury prevented her from competing during indoor.
Whether competing in multiple events per meet for Mary and cheering for others in the rare moments she is not competing, or helping out tirelessly behind-the-scenes for Grace until she is able to compete again, these two lead with big hearts and complete dedication to the team.
Where are you from and why did you choose Smith? MARY: Where are you from and why did you choose Smith? - I am from Gardiner, MT and I grew up inside Yellowstone National Park. I applied to Smith on a whim, with the help of strong persuasion from my mother, and after seeing the beautiful campus (and receiving a helpful financial aid package) it would have been difficult for me to say no. GRACE: I am from Winchendon, MA, about 1.5 hours from Smith. A very small town right on the border of NH in central MA. I chose Smith because I fell in love with it in the first five minutes I was on the campus as a junior in high school. Who wouldn't want to go to Smith????
What is your major? MARY: I am an Architecture major with an Afro-American Studies minor. They don't quite go together but I love both. GRACE: Sociology! I just declared!
What has been your favorite class at Smith? MARY: Being a second semester senior, there are so many classes I would like to say are my favorite. But, my top three would be Death and Dying in Afro-American Culture with Kevin Quashie, Central Africa with David Newberry, and my two intro architecture studios with James Middlebrook. Each professor opened my eyes not only to how much there is to learn in this world, but how my own unique talents can contribute to the future of that world. GRACE: Hmm, my favorite class would probably have to Gender and Globalization. It is a sociology class about globalization. This class made me realize that globalization is exactly what I am interested in, and it is so exciting that I can study something so structured and unstructured through sociology—very exciting!
What is your favorite event in T&F? What event would you never want to do? MARY: My favorite event has always been long jump—there is something about it that just brings out my most competitive side. I like that. I would never want to do pole vault; it freaks me out just thinking about being upside-down. (Which is why I respect the pole vaulters so much….) GRACE: Well, my favorite event by far is javelin. I would never ever ever ever want to do the 400 again—that terrible, horrible, awful race that I was always forced to run in high school.
What is your favorite part of being on the team? MARY: As much as I hate to admit it, the running part. Knowing that I have a time of day set aside to exercise everyday, and knowing that I have people to laugh and complain with the whole time is one of the biggest reasons I do track. GRACE: My favorite part of being on the team is being a part of this hidden diamond of Smith College. The track team has SUCH talent from the athletes and coaches, and when it is combined together—holy cow, it's magical!
What is your favorite post-track-meet or mid-track-meet treat? MARY: I would by lying if I said that Carla's fruit snacks weren't my favorite thing. I don't know what it is about them, but I just can't get around how much I like them. GRACE: Hmm, my favorite post-track meet treat would have to be a nap. I get tired.
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