Manuela Burtscher wasn’t intending to be an athlete in college.
“I wanted to focus on my schoolwork,” she said. “I thought it would be too much to handle.”
But when the now-20-year-old business management sophomore got a phone call from Steve Lemke, the throws and associate head coach of UF’s track and field team, everything changed.
“I met with him once I arrived on campus and pretty much just started practicing the following week,” Burtscher said. “It was pretty surreal. I never thought I would be a part of such a great program.”
Now, Burtscher throws discus for the team and said she is happy with her decision to continue athletics.
The best part of being on the team, she said, is getting to know her fellow athletes.
“Everyone is extremely nice and fun to be around,” Burtscher said. “Being on a team makes this school feel much smaller.”
Although she does not regret becoming a college athlete, Burtscher said the time commitment can be daunting.
She practices eight hours each week and must find time to finish her schoolwork and get some sleep.
“It can get pretty hectic,” Burtscher said. “I just feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get it all done.”
However she said she has learned how to be productive and manage her time effectively.
Burtscher said she doesn’t think she will continue track and field after graduation unless she becomes “good enough” to possibly earn a spot on the Olympic team representing Colombia.
“As of right now, they don’t have a thrower,” she said. “If I can reach their standard in the next few years, then I would definitely reconsider.”