Throughout the 2010-11 seasons, the Southern Conference will feature a student-athlete from around the league in a series called the SoCon Spotlight. This will be an opportunity to see what student-athletes are doing while they are not in the classroom or competing in their sport. The question and answer session focuses on student-athletes that serve as outstanding conference representatives through their community service efforts.
This SoCon Spotlight features Western Carolina's Jordan Gaddy, a senior from Candler, N.C. Jordan is a member of the women's cross country team and a middle-distance runner for the women's track team at Western. Off the track, she has focused her time on pursuing a career in nursing and volunteering with area schools' programs. This year, she's learning the importance of time management as she balances clinical practice at Asheville-area hospitals with regular commutes back to Cullowhee for practice and other school responsibilities.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a senior nursing student here at Western. I run cross country and track. In track, I'm mainly middle distance, running events from 800-meters up to 5,000-meters. Currently, I live in Asheville as part of the nursing program and commute a lot back and forth for practice.
What brought you to Western Carolina?
Both of my parents are Western graduates. My sister went to Western, too, so it's all in the family. Also, I really liked Coach Williamson, and they have a great nursing program!
Tell us about nursing program and how you manage your time as a student-athlete.
The nursing program is set up so students are on-campus the first year and do clinical practice here in Cullowhee. Your senior year, you move to Asheville to do clinical work at Mission Hospital, as well as some at the V.A. hospital and other places. That's why I'm living in Asheville now. It makes it really hard to train when I'm not with my team. That's one of the hardest things [about living so far from campus]. When you're a runner, you have to be really motivated and stay focused on what you really want. That's been a hard aspect of this semester - going out there and having to workout and run on my own. With clinical, it's been a challenge because I have to get up at 5:30 a.m. and be on my feet all day before heading to practice or a meet that weekend. It's been challenging to get enough sleep and take care of myself the way I should.
How are you able to practice your team with that schedule?
I try to come back on the weekends and on Mondays or Tuesdays. Anytime we have a hard workout, like mile repeats or 800-meter sprints, it's a lot easier when you have your teammates there pushing you.
You also find time to volunteer with your team. Tell us a little about what you do.
Every year, our team puts on a high school cross country meet, and that is great for us to see kids who want to run. Running is a sport you can carry with you throughout your life and it encourages a healthy lifestyle. We put on a high school track meet each spring too.
We also do "Rockin' Readers" at the elementary school and help with the fall festival at Cullowhee Valley School. That's always fun to help the kids and hand out candy. It's been really enjoyable.
What is Rockin' Readers?
Last year we helped out at Fairview Elementary. We get assigned a student, either one or two, and let them pick out a book. We either help them read or read to them, depending on their level. That's mainly what is involved, and the kids seem to really enjoy it.
Do you think these programs have helped you prepare for a career in nursing?
When you're working with kids, you have to learn patience and good communication skills. Those are things you have in any kind of hospital setting or any kind of healthcare job.
Has your role as a student-athlete helped as well?
Yes, the time management part has been very challenging but helpful. Even though nursing will also be very difficult, I will be more prepared and ready to focus on just my career as opposed to finding a balance between school and athletics like I've been doing. It's all about time management and being dedicated. Another thing I've learned as a student-athlete is how to manage stress really well, and I think all those aspects will help me excel in my career.
Are you ready for the Cross Country Championship in Boone, N.C.?
I'm excited. I don't like Boone because it's always cold there. It should be really exciting. Appalachian State is our big rival in track and cross. We are looking forward to going up there and doing the best we can.
What do you like best about running for Western Carolina?
I love my teammates. We're all more than teammates and really good friends. Our coach is great. He knows how to motivate us, and it's a really positive environment.