CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) recognizes Fredonia's MaryClaire Haseley in this week's Women's Cross Country Senior Spotlight.
Haseley is coming off her best cross country season with three personal-bests in 2019 -- 4,000 meters at the Fredonia State Invitational; 5,000 meters at Roberts Wesleyan's Harry F. Anderson Invitational; and 6,000 meters at the University of Rochester's Yellowjacket Invitational. The Lockport, N.Y. native capped her season by representing the Blue Devils at the 2019 SUNYAC championship meet finishing the 6K in 27:38.1. Academically Haseley earned a President's Award for Excellence as a Molecular Genetics major, with a minor in Psychology. Active in campus groups, she is president of the Beta Beta Beta biological sciences honor society.
More with MaryClarie Haseley
When did you start competing in your sport?
I started running cross country, indoor track and outdoor track as a freshman in high school.
If you weren't running cross country what other sport do you think you would compete in at this level?
I probably would have tried to play tennis.
What is your favorite memory as a student athlete?
My favorite memory as a student athlete was at indoor track & field SUNYACs in 2020 as a member of the women's distance medley relay when we finished in fourth place after being ranked in last.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am majoring in Molecular Genetics and I chose it because I have always had a passion for science.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation I plan on attending graduate school to earn my PhD in Molecular Biology and pursue research in the field.
What will you miss about being at Fredonia?
I will miss being with my teammates on and off the track every day.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete is Emma Coburn because she is a very successful track Olympian and works to empower women in sports as well as raising money for patients with cancer.
Who had the greatest impact on you during your athletic career?
Both my high school and college coaches have had the biggest impact on me because they taught me to be confident in my running, never doubt myself and leave it all on the track.
If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Spaghetti
What's something about you that might surprise other people?
I spent my summer doing COVID-19 testing in a lab in New Jersey.