Being in college is already hard enough, but try being an athlete and a student. That takes dedication, hard work and skill, all attributes Brieanna Puckett possess.
Puckett came to Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2013 and was offered a scholarship for track.
“MSU was one of my best offers…[I] came to MSU because when I walked the ground I felt like I could grow as an athlete. [MSU] was comforting because it was homey enough for me to grow in.”
There are many challenges that come with being an athlete, but perhaps one of the biggest challenges is one that cannot be changed: being a woman.
“Female sports aren’t taken seriously as a whole, women’s sports just aren’t taken seriously. It’s seen as just putting on a show, but if you want to see something really aggressive or really entertaining, then you watch the boys run. Women’s track is seen as an opening act for the boys.”
However, Puckett demands to be taken seriously. Last year, during the MSU Alumni Open she set a new school-record in the long jump of 19’5.25.” Not to mention, finishing first in the long jump at the Northwest Open and finishing first in the 200m at the MSU Preseaon Open in 2013-2014.
This year, Puckett has really put her dedication to the test. Last year she fractured her ankle and indented the cartilage around it. She got surgery in December causing her to red shirt for the current season.
“[My injury] is giving me a lot of motivation to get back to where I was but better…. Not only am I recovering from an injury, but I’m recovering from being a way for a year.”
She’s already setting major goals for her next season.
“The track team is always growing and getting better. Not only do I have to compete with other teams around the nation but I have to compete within my team to get back to the top.”
Puckett’s advice to incoming female athletes is:
“Do it for you, work hard for you, and lift for you. You only have a limited amount of time here, don’t do it for no one else. Not for your coach, not for attention but for you. When you look back 10 years from now the only experiences you will look back on are yours.”