Get to Know Isabella Antosiewicz
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If you had to describe your college athletic experience in three words, what would they be?
Opportunity, Competitive, Lively
What's your go-to pump-up song before competition?
FourFiveSeconds by Kanye West, Paul McCartney, and Rihanna
If you could play any other DIII sport, which would it be?This question is so simple. I would play field hockey in a heartbeat. I played field hockey freshman year of high school till my senior year and absolutely loved it. I say all the time that if Penn State Abington had a field hockey team, I would absolutely want to be a part of the team.
What's the best piece of advice you've received from a coach or teammate?
I've received two really good pieces of advice that I honestly live by at this point. One being, don't let your failures stop you from trying again. I think that ties into playing sports and being in leadership roles. There are times when you fail, and you have to be able to pick yourself up and try again because you never know when you will succeed. I try to look at my failures as learning experiences, not a negative that can impact my future. The second piece of advice is to live in the moment. I feel that sometimes in leadership roles and athletics, you can get caught up in the "what ifs" of the future instead of focusing on the now. While thinking ahead is so important, living in the moment is crucial to enjoying your experience as a Division III student-athlete.
What does being a Division III student-athlete mean to you?
Being a Division III athlete means multiple things to me; it's hard to put into one. At the Division III level, you get to be a true student-athlete. Coaches, professors, and administrators prioritize your future while still being able to continue your athletic career at the collegiate level. The community that is built being a Division III athlete is an environment you cannot find anywhere else. At my institution, as well as many others, I get the chance to be personable with not only many students but also almost every athlete. I have met some of my best friends through not just my team but other teams, and I am so grateful for what Division III has brought into my life.
How do you balance academics, athletics, and leadership responsibilities?
I believe the most important aspect of balancing academics, athletics, and leadership responsibilities is prioritizing time for myself while also keeping a balanced schedule and staying on top of my tasks. Whether that is time with friends, roommates, my team, time alone, or simply just hanging out in our athletic building, just having time to prioritize doing things that bring me joy without having to worry about deadlines. In between my games, classes, meetings, and practice just have time to self-care, set aside to recharge my body and brain.
Why did you want to be involved in SAAC at the national level?
There are a couple reasons why I want to be involved in the national level of SAAC. Firstly, I want our conference student-athletes' voices to be heard, their concerns, their successes, and everything in between. Secondly, I want to advocate for student-athlete mental health. DIII SAAC has put emphasis on student-athletes' mental health and spread awareness for it. I have witnessed mental health affect many athletes in my life, and I believe it is a growing concern that needs to be shared, and that athletes have opportunities for athletes to feel comfortable talking about their mental health. Thirdly, I want to go into sports marketing when I graduate. After attending the convention, I am set on wanting to work in sports. It changed my whole perspective on what I want to do after graduation, and I am so excited to get a glimpse of what that may look like, hopefully!
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes interested in leadership roles?
I would tell younger athletes to step out of their comfort zone and not to be afraid of the unknown. You never know what opportunities can come out of something, and taking risks can lead to great experiences. Some of my best experiences have come from being hesitant in the beginning, and each experience I will never regret.
