Writer’s reflection / Learning from Torero Athletics

A Toreo for life

Jarek Morgan / Asst. Sports Editor / The USD Vista

Some students will have the opportunity to share their story in a commencement speech, artwork or through music. For me, I am a writer. This identity has carried me through my final year at USD and helped define the way I approach situations and handle challenges. 

For my senior year, I have bounced back and forth between my role as a student and a sports writer for The USD Vista. Being the Assistant Editor, I got the pleasure of getting to know so many talented student athletes on a personal level through interviews. It was an amazing experience. Yes, I wore the blue and white proudly in classrooms. But, with The USD Vista, I managed to approach learning about individual and team athletes as a way of becoming connected to sports personally. Every sports team at USD offers such unique and amazing insight, I was fortunate to work closely and become even more engaged with the university I chose for education and so much more. 

As students, finding what works for you in the classroom takes time and commitment to see what’s best for each individual. Through my experiences as a writer, something I will cherish long after graduation is you become your best with the help of others. I know that sounds cliche but hear me out. I often times while talking with players and coaches would take away things said that I could use later for a boost of confidence or motivation if needed. Most of what was being said during these interviews had a direct impact on my own life and I was able to hold onto them when I was struggling myself.
I served as a journalist, but more than that, I was a student, soaking up the messages and mantras of the players and coaches I covered and incorporating their messages into my own college career. 

Coach Will Guarino of the men and women’s cross country team said something in an earlier interview this year that has resonated with me to this day.

“Be just one percent better every day,” Guarino said. 

Coach Bart Thompson of the men’s rowing team offered a different perspective of the physical toughness required to be successful in college or in life. 

“Always remember, the mind is the most powerful tool,” Thompson said. “Listen because the mind always leads the body.” 

Lastly, during a meeting with baseball head coach Brock Ungricht, he spoke about what is needed to be successful in life outside of the bases. 

“The thing I tell my guys, and what I try to share with all the staff and students here at USD is remember you are not here alone,” Ungricht said. “Remember that this journey in life is not won alone, the friendships you make along the way will help guide the man or woman you will become in the future. Embrace it, own it, and be blessed you got the opportunity to do something special.” 

These messages stuck with me because so often I found myself thinking I was alone in difficult assignments or preparing for upcoming exams. In those times, I remembered I was not alone and others around me were going through similar feelings and we as classmates could work together to complete and prepare for the task at hand. These types of interviews made reporting on these teams so enjoyable. I learned everyday on the job, and I became inspired by the coaches that I interacted with in my role as a journalist.

There were also messages from the athletes. Through all the interviews, all the conversations, one message stands out to me from all the rest. Junior volleyball player Isadora Tercariol had a short and sweet answer for me at the beginning of the year when I asked her what she would tell the younger class of students and student-athletes. She answered with three simple words that I have tried to live by since our interview. 

“Have more fun,” Tercariol said. 

As I reflect on what I’ve discovered during my time at USD, I have realized that this whole experience was fun. From the anxiety-provoking midterms to the crunch time submissions for assignments and articles, I’ve loved it all. I love being a part of this community, this supportive group of students at the newspaper, student athletes, friends, and professors. I love my choice of coming to USD, and covering sports for the paper.