Vixen Spotlight: Claire Carson

Sport: soccer/swimming Position: center midfielder/sprint events Class: senior Hometown: Houston, Texas Major: Environmental Studies/Biology

What songs get you ready to compete? "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden, "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin, "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin.

What are your pregame habits? Mental meditation, breathing exercises, five in place knee jumps, smirking at the competition.

What things do your teammates do to get you pumped up and ready to play? In soccer, hard tackles and strong physical play. In swimming, easing the situation with attempts at humor.

What is the most rewarding part about being a student-athlete? The feeling of accomplishment that can only be attained after a rigorous practice or a rough game. It instills confidence in me, for I am able to do anything with enough dedication and focus.

Why did you choose Sweet Briar? To experience an area and unique environment filled with academic rigor and good competition. SBC creates a constant challenge for me, which is the only way to success.

Most challenging class? Comparative Vertebrate Morphology.

Describe a time when you have done research with a professor, spent extra time on class work, or gotten help for a class. For Global Biodiversity Conservation, the class worked together to analyze the current use of tiger bone in traditional Chinese medicine. We researched whether it would be worth it to reopen the domestic trade of farm-raised tigers. This was such a heated issue -- we had the best debates and discussions of my college career.

How did you decide on your major(s)? The environment and conservation have always been important in my life. After studying abroad in Costa Rica, I was finally able to focus my love by adopting the Environmental major, focusing in conservation.

What campus clubs/organizations are you involved in outside of athletics? Sweet Spirits, Environmental Club, Young Democrats, Habitat for Humanity.

What are your plans for after graduation? Save up for two year for grad school in Ecological Economics and Sustainable Development. Then work in developing countries helping them maintain their environment and grow.

When I am not participating in my sport, I enjoy ... hiking, running, reading, and exploring new exotic lands.

An interesting fact about me is ... I am a vegan.

 

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