(photo obtained Skidmore Athletics Website)
Caroline Merguerian 21’ has always been focused on basketball ever since her mom introduced her to the sport in kindergarten. When she was 12, Merguerian was diagnosed with Postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) which prevented her from playing for a couple of years. This contributed to her desire to play in college, and now a senior on the Skidmore women’s basketball team, Merguerian reflects on her time playing basketball and how her athletics has made her more confident about her future plans.
Merguerian knew she wanted to attend a liberal arts school, and was drawn to the Exercise Science program at Skidmore. “I knew I wanted to do something along those lines, but didn't know quite yet. It lined up perfectly with being able to play basketball in college, because I would be able to get the best of both worlds of getting a good exercise science degree that would get me into a good grad school, and then being able to play basketball, as well.”
When asked how this season went during the pandemic, Merguerian responded, “it was really bittersweet. I was really glad that we got anything because there are a lot of schools in our league that didn't. But it feels like unfinished business, leaving Skidmore as a senior; but I'm coming to terms with it still, it’s definitely hard not having that last game or that senior night.”
But Merguerian and the team knew that even though she was disappointed that she didn’t get a senior season, this year was bigger than just basketball and she never wanted to do anything that would put anyone at risk. “I'm high risk with POTS, my coach is pregnant. And I think having a mutual understanding that things aren't going to be perfect and that there has to be some leeway with expectations of this year, given the fact that COVID is around and there is a risk to being in person.”
However, basketball was still a part of her life this year and has always been a huge mental health break for Merguerian. She describes how basketball helps keep her on track with everything and the schedule keeps her day structured. “Having that break, to go and be with my teammates, and still put in a lot of work, it definitely made a difference with my mental health and having that structure when everything is so disorganized in the world helped.”
This season, Merguerian and the team practiced, looked forward to the future, and explored how to improve for next year. A big part of this process was going to weight sessions and getting stronger. Merguerian is an intern with the strength/conditioning coach, Matt Chatam. She helps athletes who don’t have a lot of experience weight training get comfortable with different exercises.
Merguerian found that she too became more comfortable cueing athletes and approaching them to make certain changes. “It’s great being able to help others, especially when it’s something new and intimidating. It's nice to be able to help people who may not feel comfortable to begin with and get to a point and see them get to a place where they feel comfortable and confident in the gym.”
She continues, “as a female coach it can be tough and it can be intimidating to go to a male athlete and get the same respect as a male coach. That was a big growing moment with me, like building that confidence to be able to speak to anybody and tell them what they should be doing, and helping them out.”
After graduation, Merguerian will be attending the Mass General Hospital Physical Therapy program in the Fall and notes how her job in the weightroom made her more confident in her abilities to be a PT. “Working with student athletes and with Matt has taught me how to properly communicate with clients. If I hadn't had experiences of being a leader on a team and being able to communicate well with a coach and be coachable, I wouldn't be as confident and as ready to go into PT school.”
As for basketball, Merguerian already is thinking about playing pick up games and joining groups that have experience playing in some level of basketball, whether that be high school or college.
“I don't think there will ever be a time where basketball is not in my life. I haven't decided yet, but I do have an interest in coaching. So whether it's coaching a team or doing basketball training work, it’s always going to be like a part of my life. I'm going to integrate it in some way alongside physical therapy. I don't think I could just let go of that part of my life fully, just with all the work I've put in over the past years.”