Shalise Fernander
Track and Field
My love for track and field began at an early age. Throughout the end of my time in elementary school I began to realize many new changes about my body. I was taller than all the kids my age, more coordinated, and had a naturally ability to develop speed. It wasn’t right away that I noticed I stood out. I was told by P.E. teachers that I was tall, fast and athletic, and should consider running. So I did. I loved running cross country. I was good at it and it came easy to me. I love going back to my elementary school and seeing the old record board in the gym that still has my accomplishments listed. I hope to be an inspiration to those students who come through that school and see it's possible to be a female athlete, succeed at such a young age, and be respected.
All throughout my final years in elementary and on to middle school I continued running and soon was introduced to track and field. I completely fell in love with this form of running and learning how to improving my speed mechanics. During middle school I ran during cross country seasons and track. By the time I left middle school I had done some pretty amazing things! I set multiple school records in events I never envisioned myself to succeed in. That gave me the confidence to be 100% dedicated to this sport and continue working hard towards bigger goals.
High school came and I chose to give up cross country and focus on what I was best at. I made the team, was the best freshman female athlete on the sprints team. I realized quickly how serious things had just gotten. I had never thought about a college scholarship until now. I was respected, worked hard, and always asked for feedback from my coaches. Never shorted a rep during a workout or complained about how hard it was going to be. I just showed up and did the work. I understood that it was going to take a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where I wanted to be by the end of my high school career. My goal was to be so good at track that I was offered a full ride scholarship to run and compete at the next level. During my senior year I had received a hand full of offers but none of them were full rides. I wanted to be the first in my family to go to college, while also not asking my parents for help financially. At the end of my senior year we and won multiple conference championships as well as individual accomplishments and school records.
One of the biggest things that fueled my motivation was understanding what was on the line. I told myself, there was no other option but to succeed. I found something I was good at and knew my hard work would pay off. I knew I wanted to go to college, but I also knew I had to make that reality happen for myself. No one else was going to get me there but me! During the last few months of high school I had gotten a scholarship from a local junior college in Tucson Arizona named Pima. Little did I know this was going to be the perfect step for me in my journey. Even though it was always my dream to go to college out of state, I accepted the full offer. I ran for Pima from 2014-2016. I worked the hardest in practice, showed my coaches I wanted to be there and had plans of being the best. At this point I knew Pima was my ticket to the next level and I had two years to make it happen. I loved competing and proving myself every chance I got. My coaches believed in me and always made sure I was prepared to do what I came to do. At the end of my sophomore year I had multiple offers to small schools and two division ones showing interest. I knew I had what it took to compete at a division 1 school so I waited patiently for the offer I knew I deserved.
My hard work had paid off and I was offered a full ride scholarship to a division 1 called the University of Northern Colorado! After a visit and meeting the coaches, I knew this was the place for me. I competed from 2016-2018. I became more confident in my ability to compete every time I stepped on the line. I knew what I was there for and was determined to do whatever it took to be the best I could be. I worked hard in practice so when it came time to compete, I was more than prepared. By the time senior year came around I was the fastest female 400 runner on the team. Majority of the time my events were the 400 meter and the 4x4 rely. Every now and then my coach would enter me in the 800 and the 200. These events helped my speed and endurance as a 400 meter sprinter. I helped my team to many top five finishes at the conference champion meets and accomplished personal goals for myself in the 400.
Basketball
My first introduction to basketball came in 4th grade. I never truly knew how to play but understood tall people were usually basketball players and the ball needed to go in the hoop. My P.E. teacher, Mr. Miller spoke to me about joining the basketball team because I was so tall and fast. I knew nothing about the game but decided to try it out because someone showed belief in me. Mr. Miller made arrangements for me to be on the team even though only 5th and 6th graders were allowed to participate. He found value in me at a young age and saw something I didn’t even see in myself. Throughout my years In elementary I gained a better understanding of the game and what it meant to be a teammate to the other people I played with. I created a special bond with basketball because I began to realize the harder I worked the greater my chances were at success. My first year in middle school I made the A team as a 7th grader. My love for the game began to grow stronger as my body matured and I understood the importance of my role as a player on the team. My 8th grade year was amazing and me and my teammates were champions for the second year in a row. At this point success was very evident to me because I realized how my hard work paid off. I was hooked!
I went on the play ball in high school and made the varsity team as a freshman. I didn’t know my role at this point and had a lot of learning to do as well. It was a higher paced game and more commitment was required. I loved being a teammate to the other girls on my team and we formed a strong relationship off the court which carried over to our relationship on the court. My coach, Michael Perkins believed in me. He showed me right from wrong (o and off the court) and made sure I always knew how accessible success was if I was willing to put the work in and get there. Being on the varsity basketball team, being represented under coach Perkins was one of the many highlights of my high school career. I was motivated to push myself every practice because I knew if I showed this much effort my teammates would too. After obtaining much success at Flowing Wells High School, it was time to look at my chances of playing beyond varsity ball. I received multiple offers to small schools far far away from home in Arizona. I was considering the opportunities, but knew I was not completely sure my path after high school.
I was good at both basketball and track and had the opportunities to play at the next level in both sports. Aside from being overwhelmed I was filled with joy and gratitude. I had worked hard to get to where I was and never imagined having to choose which route to take, I loved them both equally. I was offered a full ride basketball scholarship by coach T (Todd Holthaus) from Pima Community College. He told me he’d allow me to be a basketball athlete as well as compete in track. I accepted the offer with open arms. I was able to play basketball and run track at a college for free. In the fall I would train, practice and play basketball. In the off season (spring) I would run track. I did this for two years and it was nothing short of amazing. A lot of hard work, yes, but it was exactly what I wanted to be doing. At the end of my two years at Pima it was time to make that tough decision. Basketball or track? I went with my full ride to the University of Northern Colorado to run track for two years. After only focusing on track I began to realize how much I missed basketball along with all the happiness it brought me. I told myself I would play basketball one more time before my college career was over. Throughout my senior year I consistently reached out to the women's head coach there at UNC. By the end of my senior year, and graduating with my bachelors, I was offered a full ride scholarship to play basketball. I began my masters program and completed my last and final year of eligibility on the women's basketball team. I completed what I set out to do and couldn’t have asked for a better journey.
Retired Athlete
I currently miss playing sports so much that I started my own businesses doing just that! My first business is a mentorship basketball training program. Me and my old teammate work with youth in our community 4 times a week to help them increase their basketball skills as well as their behavioral skills and overall understanding of the game. I have learned so many valuable lessons from basketball that had nothing to do with the skill of playing. We want to inspire our clients to set the bar high for themselves and to work hard until they obtain their goals. There is so much more to sports than being the star athlete on the team. Every person serves a role and unique purpose.
The second business I've created incorporates mental health and wellness along with nutrition and fitness. I am a health and wellness coach! It's such an amazing concept that has worked for all of my clients. As well as fill me with the upmost love and happiness. I never would have imagined having the opportunity to connect, inspire, and motive athletes just like my coaches did for me. I love what I do and would have never been able to help others reach their health and wellness goals if it wasn’t for all the knowledge and lessons learned while being a college athlete.
I can proudly say, I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for the many coaches, mentors, and idols I looked up to everyday. The athletes I competed against taught me many lessons about myself and just how tough i am. For all the young female athletes out there that may be lacking confidence, motivation, or support. You can do it. Don’t take no for an answer. Always strive to be the best you can be on and off the court. Your character shines through when you are faced with difficult situations. Its how you grow and handle them that will set you apart for the crowd. Move with dignity and grace. The world is yours. The sooner you begin to believe that, the sooner your life will begin to change for the better. For all the people that doubt your ability and strength, use them as motivation to get up every morning and work towards your goal until you reach it.