Guenther's career already off to the races
1/31/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Having experienced an impressive 17-point win over archrival Lafayette College, senior co-captain Mary Guenther is half-way through her final year on the Track and Field team. Guenther describes the recent face-off as her favorite sports moment at Lehigh, and with due reason.
“I think it was so important to me not only because it’s my senior year and my last indoor meet but also because of the unity of the team,” Guenther said.
The cohesiveness of the Track and Field team has proved to be a solid support network. Similarly, as an only child, Guenther has also appreciated helpful encouragement from her parents. A native of
“The parent participation on our team really makes the meets a very welcoming environment,” Guenther said.
Her parents have also helped Guenther reach her goals, which she has consistently set to challenge herself throughout her four years on the varsity team. As a freshman, her goals centered more on accomplishing metric heights or distances.
“I struggled in my first two years of college to reach many of my goals, however, setting the bar higher then I could reach only made me want it more,” Guenther said.
As a senior, Guenther’s hopes are to qualify for the ECAC championship in one of her numerous events and as captain, she strives to be a good leader and represent her team well, on and off the field. Despite her early struggles, Coach Matt Utesch always helped Guenther remain motivated. “It’s obvious to see how Mary has matured and really gained confidence since her freshman year,” Coach Utesch said. “She focused on working at and executing her technique, something she helps to pass on to the freshmen on the team. She is also a people-person, who can identify with those whom are struggling and bring a calm to them in pressure situations. People just want to follow her,” he explained. The same dedication that Guenther displays to both her teammates and coaches is also evident in the classroom. After all, Guenther participates in both the heptathlon and pentathlon, so multitasking comes naturally. Guenther is a marketing major who has been a Dean’s List recipient for several semesters. She attributes her success in balancing the demands of track and school to her own organization and ability to form good relationships with her professors. Guenther is also not the typical senior scrambling for a job. She enjoys the security of already having one upon her spring graduation. Last year Guenther interned with Ingersoll-Rand, a leading industrial manufacturing company. After interviews she landed a full-time marketing position that will relocate her to
Not only a dedicated student and worker, Guenther is also a compassionate friend. Off the field she has found an incredible support system with her teammates and best friends, co-captain Liz Haight, and fellow seniors Lindsay Hinsch and Lindsey Bulkley.
“These three girls will be my friends forever,” she said. “They will be the people who will be there for me long after my days at Lehigh.”
Despite the gratification of the recent win over “It’s hard to describe how close you become to everyone on the team when you spend three hours a day almost everyday of the school year together,” Guenther said. “I know that my memories of the team will be something I cherish forever. Being part of the team has really made my experience at Lehigh a great one.” Being a part of a team at Lehigh has undoubtedly influenced Guenther’s life and college experience, but she has also impacted many, from freshmen to coaches to her close friends and teammates. By: Alice Tyler, Lehigh Sports Media Relations.
