For National Girls and Women in Sport Day on Feb. 4, hear from student-athletes across NAU Athletics about the first time they picked up a ball or club or laced on running shoes, their best moments wearing blue and gold and how their athletic careers are helping prepare them for their professional careers, in their sport or in an office.
Lizzle Neale, senior
Sport: Golf
Major: University Studies
Hometown: Nelson, New Zealand
How did you get started in your sport?
My first memory of golf was with my Papa, my dad’s dad, at my local golf club. I went to a junior golf session with him and got hooked.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
My highlights at NAU have been winning the Big Sky Conference in 2024 individually and winning a tournament last season with my parents watching! Also having the opportunity to be surrounded by my incredible teammates and friends every day.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Being an athlete has helped me in school as I have had to learn time management, discipline and how to stay focused under pressure whilst also balancing academics and sport. It has also pushed me to be accountable and resilient when things don’t go as planned. These skills will translate into my career, and will help me stay consistent, adaptable and committed to long-term goals.
Agnes McTighe, graduate student
Sport: Cross country/track & field
Major: Communication (MA)
Hometown: St-Jean, Switzerland
How did you get started in your sport?
I started running cross country at 11 years old. My mum signed me up for a local race, unattached, and I took the W. I have enjoyed it ever since.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
Some highlights include placing eighth at cross-country nationals with the team and toeing the line at NCAA track nationals alongside my friend Ava.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Being an athlete has taught me to stay persistent when things get tough and that through consistency, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. I bring this skill set to the classroom and strive to apply the same discipline to my academic and professional goals.
Shanye Harris, sophomore
Sport: Track & field
Major: Psychological sciences
Hometown: Stockton, California
How did you get started in your sport?
I played soccer in elementary school and was always the fastest one on the field, so in sixth grade I started my career in club track and have been running ever since.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
Some of the highlights of my athletic career were having the opportunities to compete in both indoor and outdoor conference as a freshman and getting Freshman of the Year.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Being a college athlete has helped me stay disciplined in academics as well as athletics. I realized the more I stay disciplined, the more successful I become in both categories.
Reece Reichwald, freshman
Sport: Soccer
Major: Biomedical science
Hometown: Scottsdale
How did you get started in your sport?
I got started in soccer when I was 6 years old in a local club in Scottsdale. I was a dual-sport athlete growing up, playing both club soccer and club softball. When I had to decide which sport to stick with, soccer was the obvious answer.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
Highlights include three shutouts, a career high of 10 saves against Weber State, ranking second in the conference for save percentage at 0.813, totaling 74 saves during my freshman season. I started 15 games during my freshman season and recorded 1,204 minutes.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
As a student-athlete, I have learned critical life skills such as time management, leadership, collaboration and so much more. The training I have received as an athlete has allowed me to be confident in the classroom and stay dedicated and focused on my goals academically. In the future, I see this benefitting my career immensely, such as my ability to work in teams, my problem-solving skills, and my determination to get work done.
Patrycja Niewiadomska, senior
Sport: Women’s tennis
Major: Science of nutrition
Hometown: Bielsko-Biała, Poland
How did you get started in your sport?
I started playing tennis when I was 5 years old. I used to watch major tournaments on TV with my grandma, and one day she took me to a nearby park where there was a small tennis club. From that moment on, I fell in love with the sport and have loved it ever since.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
One of the biggest highlights was my freshman year clinching the match against Weber State at home, in front of our crowd. I won the match 7-6 in the third set, which was an unforgettable experience. That same year, we advanced to the final of the Big Sky Conference, and I was honored to receive the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award. Additionally, I qualified twice for the All-American tournament during my sophomore and senior years.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Being an athlete has shaped my mindset both in school and in life. I approach challenges the same way I do on the tennis court, by staying committed, continuing to fight and pushing forward no matter how many setbacks I face. The determination and resilience that helped me succeed in tennis are qualities I carry into academics and will continue to rely on in my future career, as they motivate me to work hard, pursue my goals and never give up.
Grace Greenlee, junior
Sport: Volleyball
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Scottsdale
How did you get started in your sport?
I started volleyball when I was in seventh grade because all my friends were doing it, so of course I had to as well. I was on the second team my first year, third team my second year and jumped up to the top team my third year all at the same club.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
A few highlights for me at NAU include having my first career start being the Astrojacks game my sophomore year after ACL surgery my senior year of high school. Also, junior year, winning the regular season conference title and making the first team all-conference was an amazing way to end the season. Finally, getting to travel to Europe with my teammates last summer was one of the best ways I could’ve thought to spend our break.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Being a student-athlete forces me to always give 100%, even though that might vary depending on the day. Additionally, time management and teamwork are huge in volleyball, academics and any future career. Since I’m going into marketing, the aspect of problem solving and creativity that comes from quick decision making in volleyball will help me immensely in my particular field.
Naomi White, redshirt freshman
Sport: Women’s basketball
Major: Health science – nutrition and foods
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
How did you get started in your sport?
I can’t really remember how I got started with basketball; as far as I know I’ve always had one in my hand. All of my parents played the sport and some others. I guess I was just born to play something, no matter if it was soccer and basketball, or T-ball and basketball. Basketball has just always been there.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
A highlight from my athletic career has got to be my first game at New Mexico, having scored 24 points. Another highlight was playing at Arizona. The atmosphere was crazy, and it was a fantastic experience for me. My favorite highlight of all was scoring 37 points against Weber State. I broke the record for made 3s in a game at NAU, and I surpassed my career- high.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Being an athlete has given me a great foundation of discipline. Without performing in school, I can’t perform on the court. It has also aided me in being able to build relationships with classmates the same way you have to on the court. I want to go to the WNBA. All of these experiences I’m having will benefit me in that career choice. As for other career paths, being an athlete will help in everything. It’s hard, and you have to fight through various things, stay focused and be disciplined, which are also skills you need to be successful in your field.
Cydnie Perkins, senior
Sport: Swimming & diving
Major: Hotel and restaurant management
Hometown: Scottsdale
How did you get started in your sport?
When I was a kid, I had endless amounts of energy. My parents put me in every sport under the moon and I loved it, but it wasn’t until I started swimming that I discovered true passion and commitment. I started swimming competitively when I was 6 and never looked back.
What are some highlights from your athletic career at NAU?
At the top of the list is helping the team win three conference meets in a row, and we’re looking to add a fourth in a few weeks. Another moment I’ll never forget was when we had a home meet against a rival team, and I was a part of the relay team that started the meet off by setting a school record, followed by setting an individual pool record in the 100-meter breaststroke after. I was also grateful to receive the honors of WAC Swimmer of the Week last year for the first time.
How has being an athlete helped you in school, and how do you see it benefitting you in your career?
Swimming and college athletics as a whole have tremendously impacted my school and career. Swim has taught me to stay committed, disciplined and focused even with pressure and expectations breathing down my neck. This sport has taught me how to multitask, prioritize and follow through with everything from the projects I start, to achieving all of my goals and helping my peers and coworkers fulfill their individual potential and the team’s as a whole.