Interviewing Student Athletes: Hazel Collier ‘23 and Emilia Murdock ‘21
Image: Courtesy of Murdock and Newman Yearbook Committee.
Being a student-athlete is not easy, at all. Balancing academics, especially IB level classes, and rigorous out of school training can be a huge undertaking. Interviews with Hazel Collier ‘23 and Emilia Murdock ‘21 give a better feel for what student-athletes do on a daily basis and how they manage to fit it all into a single day. Dedication and commitment are clearly needed to uphold a schedule as demanding as theirs. Through these interviews, they share their perspectives and outlook on different aspects of their lives.
Hazel Collier
From: Charlestown, MA
Age: 15
Grade: 10
Favorite Class: English
2x New England Regional Champion
2x US National Competitor
2019 Intermediate National Bronze Medalist
When did you start your sport, and how did you get involved with it?
I started “learn-to-skate” at the Skating Club of Boston when I was four years old and progressed quickly through the program. I basically grew up at the rink and fell in love with the community and environment there. Because of the competitive person that I am, I started to look forward to every practice and competition, which helped me stick with it despite many challenges along the way. I learned how to push myself from a young age, and I am very thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given from skating.
What are some of your goals in the sport?
Some of my goals in skating include competing internationally and on the senior national level.
How has it been juggling a full schedule of your training and academics?
Balancing school and skating has always been very stressful. However, Newman has been very supportive of me throughout my whole skating journey, and I am very thankful for the support I received from my school.
What is your favorite thing about the Newman School?
I love how Newman is very accepting of many different kinds of people from many different places and very supportive of all of our goals in both school and other areas of life.
Emilia Murdock
From: Darien, CT
Age: 18
Grade: 12
Favorite Class: History
4x National Competitor
Team USA Athlete
2019 Junior National Bronze Medalist
International Medalist
2x Sectional Champion
When did you start your sport, and how did you get involved with it?
I started my sport around three years old because my mom was a coach, a basic skills coach, and she couldn’t find a babysitter. So, she put me in skates and sat me in the corner, and then one day, I just got up and started skating.
What are some of your goals in the sport?
My goals for the sport is to qualify for the Olympic and world teams. That would be my top goals, but there are a ton of smaller, more short-term goals along the way. Right now, it is a very weird season, postponing and canceling a lot of the events, so for now, we can only make goals within ourselves such as landing new jumps and learning new elements.
How has it been juggling a full schedule of your training and academics?
Balancing both my athletic schedule and my school schedule has been something I have learned to deal with overtime. I think the biggest priority for me is time management and making sure to schedule my week and my day beforehand to make sure I can get all of my work done in between training. There have definitely been some moments, especially when competing abroad, where it has been extremely tough keeping up with both aspects of my life. But, I think that focusing on time management and getting the small things done, and letting my teachers know in advance of competitions has been the biggest help for myself.
What is your favorite thing about the Newman School?
My favorite thing about Newman would have to be their flexibility to work with each student’s schedule. The teachers at Newman are extremely communicative, making it so much easier to balance both aspects of my life.
How has Newman been able to help you adapt to your recent changes?
Recently, I have undergone multiple life changes. I have moved to Toronto, Canada, to train for figure skating, and I am currently living on my own for the first time. I was very nervous for how I was going to deal with these drastic changes. However, Newman and the teachers have been so helpful in making sure I am comfortable with all of the zoom classes; they have reached out to me, making sure I was feeling good in my studies and progression in the curriculum. In my ever so changing life, Newman remained constant, and I am very grateful for that.
