The Department of Athletics & Intramurals at Southwestern Adventist University has added tennis and cross country to its roster of intercollegiate sports, in addition to basketball, soccer and volleyball, which continue to be available. The addition of both tennis and cross country is in large part due to the efforts of students who participated in these sports in high school.

The first cross country team at SWAU has several meets during fall semester. Vision Modiga, a senior kinesiology student, ran for his high school team and has been grateful for the opportunity to be part of a cross country team again.  “I am more than excited that SWAU is now offering cross country. I ran back in high school, and now I have a chance to do what I love again and to represent SWAU!”

Beatrix Parilla, senior business and pre-med student, had been hoping to play tennis at the college level since her freshman year and is enthusiastic about this soon becoming a reality. “Tennis is my first love, so I’m thrilled to get to play during my college career. I have been recruiting other students to join as well,” she shares. The tennis season will take place during spring semester 2021, and tryouts will soon be scheduled. During the past few months she has focused on soccer, as she is also a member of that team.

“Participating in athletics definitely enhances the college experience. There are a lot of life lessons students can learn from being part of a sports team,” shares Tyler Wooldridge, Director of Facilities & Athletics. “Athletes learn to be punctual, organized and to work together, as well as so many other life skills that will benefit them both at home and in the workplace.” This is why Wooldridge is proud to provide more opportunities for students to take part in athletics through these two sports.

SWAU is committed to providing students with a memorable college experience and successful life after college. Athletics training provides one more opportunity for them to learn skills that will prepare them to thrive.