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.

 

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Sylvia Dean 

University - 

University of Windsor

 

Sport -

Cross Country

 

Year of Eligibility -

1st Year

 

Hometown - 

Windsor, Ontario 

 

Program of Study - 

Education/Teachers College

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

I started running cross country in grade school. I continued running in high school but decided to focus on track and field at Western University. I was cut in December and stopped running for the rest of my first year of university.

However, throughout COVID, I was able to go back to my hometown of Windsor and reconnect with my friends who were all on the University of Windsor Lancers cross country team. I got an idea that maybe I would go to the University of Windsor for Teacher's College and try out for the cross country team. 

 

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

What interests me about cross country is the fact that all my good friends from Windsor were on the team. It worked out really well when they all planned to stay for a fifth year and run cross country.

 

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?

I was a talented cross country runner in grade school and high school. I didn't have a great year in grade 12 and, at the time, didn't love cross country as much as track. So I decided to stop. Unfortunately, I wasn't good enough to make the track team so I quit and step away from running for a few years.   

 

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

Being on the Lancer XC team has had a huge positive impact on my sense of self and on my mental and physical health. I love the community and feeling of belonging it gives me. I have created a new passion and love for the sport which is really exciting. 

My fondest memory happened this past fall at Western's Invitational cross country race. It was my first race in five years (since 2017) and I felt great, confident, and excited to have fun. I ran really well.

 

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 think the person that inspires me would probably be my mom. She is very supportive and tries to come to every meet. No matter what sport it is, my mom is always a proud of my accomplishments and loves to watch me perform.

I also inspire myself. I like a challenge and actively take note of my improvements. I also really wanted to prove to myself that I can perform a sport at a high level. Especially after being told I wasn't good enough in first year when I was cut by the track team.

 

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

It's my first year so everything is pretty new. But what excited me is the team bonding. The huddles before every cross country race, the training camp activities, the team dinners, making team bows to wear in races. Everything about being on a team. I am also excited to continue to develop a new love for cross country. 

 

 

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

This is on a negative note, but others may not realize that we are not as recognized by the school as all other sports. Other sports get featured in social media all the time and score updates every half or quarter. But cross country does not even get a "goodl uck" on social media. We also never will get the Lancer badder bus if another team is playing. We had to go to our training camp in a school bus and to the Western Invitational on something that was not a badder bus and did not have a washroom in it. I do not think people know how undervalued our sport and team is compared to other varsity teams. As athletes, it makes us feel as though we are an afterthought or not really seen/acknowledged. 

 

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

I would tell them to just start running. It's exactly what I did to get started. I began by first running short runs a few times a week and slowly built up. Do not do too much too soon. I would also recommend you get involved in a club for guidance and support. 

 

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.)?

For me, because I have had a few knee injuries and some muscles that require some extra attention, I do about an hour of rehab exercises. This helps minimize the pain I might experience while running and keeps me motivated.

I also started swimming on cross training days. It's been a lot of fun to try another sport. It's also helped to realize how happy I am and how much I love to run. I definitely couldn't swim 6 days a week.

I also try to push myself in workouts and be proud of everything I achieve. By being proud of the good workouts and the bad workouts, together they give me the opportunity to help me get in shape. 

 

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 things will not be easy. You will not make every team. But everything happens for a reason. Try your best, enjoy the people around you, make connections and friendships, and, most of all, have fun.  

 

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

I would always tell others to focus on sharing time with those people in your life that lift you up and give you energy. Sometimes you can feel run down as school. Being a student-athlete can take up much of your time on most days. So it's important to focus your efforts to be on top of school but make time to see those friends that make you laugh and smile. It will help make everything a good time.  

I am also a big schedule/list person. I make a to-do list of what I need to do that day and have a monthly calendar with all the due dates for school, cross country meets/events, physio and therapy appointments. I even make sure to schedule/plan hangout time and group studying with friends.

 

 

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