Queens University of Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the InterCon Female Student-Athlete of the Month for the month of May is track and field athlete Tanya Zeferjahn (Hesperia, Calif., Hesperia High School)

Zeferjahn, a graduate student here at Queens, eclipsed the NCAA DII automatic national qualifying 10,000-meter mark in the College Women’s Championship at the Penn Relays, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, setting a new Royals school record and finishing eighth in the country’s largest and oldest track & field meet. She posted a time of 35:36.23.

The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Zeferjahn as the Southeast Region Track Athlete of the Year in the month of May.

Her most exciting win was when she clinched Queens University of Charlotte’s first women’s national title by winning the NCAA DII National Championship 10,000-meter run in San Angelo, Texas on the first day of the three-day track and field competition. Zeferjahn won with a time of 35:38.46.

"Tanya's race was most impressive, not just because of the national title, but because of her race execution. She simply ran her best race of the year in terms of putting herself in position early, increasing her effort to maintain pace as others started to fade and racing to win over the last 400-meters. It was one of the best 10,000-meter races I have seen and I am proud of her because of it. And what is exciting is that there is still so much more there. We are looking forward to next season”, said Coach Simmons.

Members of the sports information office caught up with Zeferjahn to ask her a few questions.

How does it feel to be Student Athlete of the month?
It’s an honor to be chosen as Student Athlete of the month.  There are many great athletes at Queens and it is nice to be recognized among them.

Why did you choose to attend Queens?
I chose Queens kind of on accident.  I took a cross-country road trip with a friend last summer when he moved out to Charlotte to actually help out with the cross country team and be coached by Scott Simmons himself. After talking with Coach Simmons and finding out I still had eligibility, I decided to look into the MBA program at Queens.  Between Coach Simmons and the McColl School, I liked what I saw and so decided to attend Queens to run and get my MBA.

What are your career goals?
After Queens, I plan on continuing my education and getting my MS in geology.  I would like to work in hydrogeology, but have no set plans on where I want it to take me yet. 
As far as running goes, I will be defending my 10k title next year and going after the 5k title in both indoor and outdoor track as well.  I would like to continue training after I’m done at Queens and hope to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Trials in both the 10k and the marathon.

What does it take to be academically successful at Queens?
It takes a lot of time and dedication to your schoolwork to be academically successful at any school.  You definitely have to make it a priority, and this usually means long nights of studying and limited time hanging out with friends.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I came to Queens to run and get my MBA, so that is what I focus on.  With practice twice a day and class every night, there isn’t time for much else.  As long as I focus on what’s important, it’s not hard to get everything done.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
Studying.  study guides, chapter summaries, class notes- everything helps.  I can’t expect to do well on a test if I don’t know the material.  I usually start my review a couple days before the test.  Any sooner than that and I’ll just end up forgetting stuff because it’s a lot to take in.

Any rituals before a game?
I wouldn’t say I have any rituals, but I always do the same warm-up routine and it seems to work well for me.  And I always have to get good luck from Sheepers McSheep.

What is your favorite quote?
“A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected by in as many  way as they are capable of understanding.”

What are your goals for your team this season? (or next season)
I would really like to see the cross country team make it to Nationals in the fall and would like to see more National qualifiers in track next spring.  I would also like to see myself and my teammates stay injury free next year.  As long as we can stay healthy and keep setting PRs, I would consider the season a success.

What are your favorite track memories here at Queens?
So far, I would have to say winning the National Title.  I knew I was pretty fit, but with all the injuries I’ve had and cross-training I’ve had to do, it was a nice little surprise and a good way to end the season.  Actually, watching any member of my team have a great race produces good memories and I know there are a lot more of these to come.

What is the most rewarding part about being a student athlete?
The most rewarding part about being a student athlete is getting to travel.  Going to different races across the country has allowed me to see places I probably would never get to otherwise.