See How She Got Started in the OUA

Anchored in the efforts to spotlight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) student-athletes, the initiative See How She Got Started showcases and tells the story of how some of the conference’s talented student-athletes first got involved in sport and have made their way to the varsity stage on which they currently shine.  It is also hoped that their stories can inspire young athletes to aspire to compete in varsity-level sports.

 

(Grace (left) and Anna Easterns Start)

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Grace McIntyre 

University - 

University of Ottawa

 

Sport -

Nordic Skiing

 

Year of Eligibility -

1st Year

 

Hometown - 

Fall River, Nova Scotia

 

Program of Study - 

Biomedical Sciences 

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

I started skiing when I was four years old with my family. I continued to ski in Nordiq Canada programs on the weekends, such as jackrabbits.

 

What most interested you about your sport that made you want to pursue it at a high level?

I think what interested me the most to pursue it at a high level is that nordic skiing is not the most common sport and it's actually a very technically specific sport. This is what I really enjoy as well as the racing style.   

 

Was there a specific moment/experience that led you to believe you could compete in your sport at a high level, and if so, what was it?

For me, a specific moment/experience that led me to believe I could compete at a high level happened when I went to the Canada Games in 2019 in Red Deer, Alberta.  I was the youngest girl at 14 years old and I fell in love with the racing after that experience. 

 

What is your fondest memory/experience of being involved in your sport thus far?

My fondest memory is having the opportunity to race in a team sprint with my best friend at Nationals in our provincial colours and swag. 

 

Is there someone who inspires you to continue to pursue your sport at this high level (i.e., coach, professional athlete, family member, etc.) and what makes them an inspiration to you?

I have not always been the most competitive person. But one of my teammates has always helped me train. He inspires me to try more every time.     

 

What excites you most about continuing your athletic journey at the varsity level within the OUA?

It always makes me so excited when I have the chance to compete with new teammates and friends and have another opportunity to practice racing through out the season.  

 

 

What is/are some of the more unique aspect(s) of your sport that others may not know about? 

It's important to know that there are two different techniques in the sport of nordic skiing and they require completely different equipment. There are also different techniques within each of these two racing techniques for sections of the course.    

 

If someone else was looking to start playing your sport, what one piece of advice would you give them to get them started?

If there was someone looking to start nordic skiing, I would tell them to start as soon as you can.  It’s not the easiest sport when you're first starting out, so be prepared to stick with it and it will become a great experience for you.

 

What is one critical thing that you do to try to continue to experience improvement within your sport (i.e., specific drill/exercise, training regimen, routine, etc.)?

My sport is very reliant on endurance.  In order for me to keep my endurace going well, I do lots of running and rollerskiing in Zone 3.    

 

What would you say to your 10-year-old self about playing and staying in sport?

I would tell my 10-year-old self that it will be the best family (a part from your real one) that you will ever have. I would also tell her that nordic skiing is something that you’ll be able to do for life.     

 

Is there one strategy that you find works well for you in creating a positive student/athlete balance in your life?

As a student I find there are lots of times where I get stressed. For me, I find it really important to make time to do my training because it helps me feel and experience stress.

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Head to the SWSCD Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. Find, rate and review programs, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing.  

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Have a sport, recreation or physical activity accomplishment you'd like to celebrate and shout out through SWSCD?  Become a SWSCD member and share your story directly on SeeWhatSheCanDo. Or, simply add the hashtag #seewhatshecando to your public social media posts and SWSCD can help you inspire others around you.