Dec. 9, 2008

Garden City, N.Y. - Junior Allison Megherian is used to proving herself not only as a walk-on athlete on the swim team, but a student at Adelphi as well. She works hard in all aspects of the sport. Megherian and team also have to practice off-campus because of pool renovations in Woodruff Hall. Currently injured, she knows what it means to overcome obstacles. Even with all of this going on she still sees her team unified.

With the pool currently under construction Megherian reminisces about the old facility. "I am very thankful for our pool being renovated because there was a broken window near lane four that wouldn't close and it would literally snow and rain on deck! When it got cold out we had an icy pool deck and had to start on the other side," Megherian added.

"I feel that this season our men's and women's team are closer then ever. I am a junior and I have experienced the team for the last two years. We have a lot of freshmen and they all show focus and determination to become a better, faster team," Megherian said.

Her team shows her respect and being an upperclassman, she understands the role she has on the team. Her take of the leadership role has come from watching her older sister, 22, being a leader for her, and her younger sisters, ages 17 and 14.

Megherian has always been a focused individual with team in mind and is more than meets the eye. She participates in the 50-meter freestyle, 100 meter freestyle and always swims with pride. Megherian is involved in other things around campus and her pride and spirit shows in all her extracurricular activities.

"I am music major. I am involved in workshops where I sing classical music and Broadway and I am in the Adelphi Chorus. I work for Campus Recreation and I am a supervisor in training. I used to lifeguard for Campus Recreation before the pool went under renovation." says Megherian.

Her attitude is always proud and she is a role model to all walk-on's. "I was a walk-on and it is hard to see people that are faster than you and get scholarship money. However, if you work hard enough and look past those things you will get faster." Megherian added.

She is one that believes in herself and challenges us to do the same consistently.

"If you think you can overcome an obstacle you have to let yourself. That's for situations in everyday life too. You have to believe in yourself," she added.

Michael McDuffie is a senior sports management major at Adelphi University. He is also a members of the Adelphi men's basketball team.