Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – From the moment a student-athlete steps through the doors at MacEwan, their journey is a special one filled with memories of great plays, big wins, unforgettable times with teammates and a transformation into the person they are today.
In five years (or less), which feels like the blink of an eye, that journey is over.
As our graduating student-athletes move on from the program and prepare for the next chapter of life, we are asking them to reflect on their time as a Griffin.
From March 15-24, we will be featuring Q&As with our graduates by sport.
Here is the schedule:
Today – Cross Country
Daniella Wasielewski runs during a 2019 ACAC Grand Prix race in Camrose (Linda Miller photo).
Daniella Wasielewski
(2017-21)
Graduating with … Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Future plans … Volunteer positions for work experience; potentially pursuing grad school
What are some of your favourite memories from your time as a Griffin?
"Probably away trips, travelling with the team. Bus rides and plane rides were always a lot of fun."
Any personal highlights stand out for you – a race you ran that really stood out from the others?
"I think I say in the 2019 season. When we raced down in Calgary at the Canada West championships, that was really crazy because we had crazy weather (it started snowing five minutes before the race) and everyone was unsure about how it would go. We were huddling on the start line very cold. It all worked out in the end, which was OK."
If you look at yourself when you first entered the program to where you are now, where do you see the growth?
"I think in leadership was a big one for me. I think I was first a little shy on the team. Now I would consider myself the leader on the team. Honestly, just overall development. It just built you into a better person and showed you resilience, especially with the whole COVID thing. I don't think necessarily as an athlete I developed any crazy new skills, just overall."
With coaches Drew (Carver) and Linda (Miller) retired last year, I understand you took over the captainship of the team without a coach. When you talk about leadership, how important was it to step into that role in a different year?
"It's been a really crazy year. I think because we don't have a coach, everyone got a little lost. In a weird way, everyone stepped up, but I definitely had it thrown on me without really expecting it. It honestly helped me in general to be a better leader in all aspects of my life. Especially because when I was becoming a leader on the team, I was only in my second or third year. I wasn't a senior athlete yet, but it was just the fact that everyone else on our team was first year. So I was designated as the veteran even though I kind of wasn't yet. I think I was developing that pretty quickly, to be honest."
Cross country running is a sport you can pretty much do your entire life. I imagine you plan to continue doing that?
"I definitely do, but probably not at the same competitive level as university sport because training six days a week is a lot harder right now. I'm looking into potentially running some marathons just to keep myself going with that. The longest I've ever competed in is 10K, so it should be an interesting one."
Anything else you'd like to say about your time as a Griffin?
"I think the people I met on my team and the other teams are probably the most important thing I've taken out of it. Obviously, I love running, but I think there are lifelong friends (I've made). I really enjoy that part of being a Griffin."
