CHLOE KOWALYK
Editor in Chief
Finding a balance between athletics and the academic course load of a college student can be quite challenging.
But Kristin Kelemen, a recent graduate of SUNY Fredonia, has mastered the craft.
Fredonia Athletics has recently given Kelemen the honor of Female Student Athlete of the Year.
Kelemen graduated this past May with both a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree in English adolescent education in just four years at SUNY Fredonia.
Kelemen was heavily involved while attending Fredonia. She worked as an English/writing tutor at the college’s Learning Center and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.
On top of her academic work in the college of education and as a peer tutor, Kelemen was also a college athlete.
She said that she was “a three-season student athlete, running cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. I was also captain of [both of] the women’s teams.”
Kelemen’s dedication to both athletics and academics and her success within both is what earned her the Female Student Athlete of the Year dedication.
“I was truly honored to receive this award,” Kelemen said. “Not only was I honored to receive such a distinction, but it was really special to be recognized for two facets of my life that have defined me for quite some time: athletics and academics.”
For Kelemen, being a student athlete heavily impacted her time at Fredonia.
“I think it allowed me to form connections with people from a variety of backgrounds, be pushed outside of my comfort zone and partake in experiences that I wouldn’t have been able to if it were not for being a student athlete,” she said.
Plus, being a student athlete allowed Kelemen to make unique memories she’ll take with her throughout the rest of her life.
Kelemen said her favorite athletic memory at Fredonia was getting to compete at the SUNYACs last year.
“Not only was I surrounded by some of my best friends, I was able to compete at a high level and make memories that I frequently think about,” she said.
Academically, Kelemen said she really enjoyed her experienced student teaching.
Getting involved in athletics at Fredonia is something Kelemen would recommend to all incoming and current students.
“The lifelong connections and memories they’ll make can’t be recreated anywhere else than with your teammates hanging out, on a long bus ride to a far away competition or during a grueling practice,” she said.
While being a student athlete is a fun and rewarding experience, it does come with some challenges.
Many student athletes find it difficult to balance their sport with class.
“Although it sounds cliché, my number one piece of advice for student athletes would be to manage your time and, specifically, make time for athletics and academics,” Kelemen said.
Kelemen explained that “compartmentalizing” is key to success as a student athlete.
Students can compartmentalize by focusing only on athletics while at practice or competing, and only on academics while in class or doing homework.
“I know this is easier said than done, but I found that this approach helped me to be successful both athletically and academically,” Kelemen said.
Now, as Kelemen leaves Fredonia as a successful student athlete, she’ll be entering the world in a career she loves.
Kelemen said she recently accepted a job teaching English at a high school in Western N.Y.
“With that being said, I am going to spend the summer traveling and setting up my classroom before starting school in September,” she said.