The PEAR Department is taking this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the seniors on our varsity athletic teams. We know that they have poured their hearts and souls into their teams during their time at Carleton and we are excited about what the future holds for each of them. Keep checking back in the coming weeks as we take the time to highlight each of these individuals. Click here for our Senior Spotlight archive.

Varsity sports played at Carleton: 
Women's Swimming and Diving
 
Hometown:
White Bear Lake, Minn.
 
Major:           
Mathematics
 
What are your plans after graduation?     
I plan on attending graduate school in mathematics and then becoming a professor of mathematics.
 
What was your favorite sports moment at Carleton?      
When I came back from being abroad, I had a couple days where everywhere I went, I bumped into swimmers who I had missed dearly while I was abroad and who were super excited to see me. It was great because I got to have conversations with everyone and catch up. This transition period back to Carleton made me notice something that I had been somewhat blind to before. The swim team was a medium where I met a lot of friends and grew quite close to people, but specifically there were people who I otherwise might never have crossed paths with; people with different majors and interests who were my friends. I really appreciated in that moment - and continue to appreciate today - that the swim team has brought people into my life who I otherwise might have missed out on.
 
I'm realizing this question might've been asking about my favorite athletic memory, in which case it would probably be my 100 fly at MIAC finals my freshman year. I had always swum around 1:05 at my best in the 100 fly but at that race, I went 1:02:something and it felt very surprising, rewarding, and validating of the hard work I had put in.
 
Why did you choose Carleton?      
When I came and toured campus, I realized that the students and professors are both wonderful people and are very passionate about learning! This school felt like the right fit and I certainly made the best decision.
 
Outside of athletics, what will you miss most about Carleton?  
The people here are wonderful and the friends I've made are certainly going to be lifelong friends but parting with them, in the sense that graduation will scatter us to the wind, is going to be very sad for me. Thank goodness for Zoom!
 
What else has your Carleton experience included?         
I participate in the mathematics department as a student departmental advisor, am on the leadership team for Gender Minorities in Math and Stats, and I work as a TA/grader. As a junior, I went on a semester abroad (yes semester- although I only had to miss one trimester of Carleton!) to Budapest, Hungary. In the summers before my junior and senior years I did math research with Rob Thompson, a professor in the math department. I have enjoyed participating in Synchrony and meeting people in the Spanish department at the language table. For one trimester, I had a very meaningful work-study job as a facilitator for Talking About Diversity, a class that invites students to reflect on their own social identities and attitudes toward race, gender, class, sexuality, nationality, and more in order to understand differences and to explore how to build communities that are welcoming and open to diversity.
 
What is one piece of advice you would give to prospective student-athletes?   
As far as advice, I would say try to be kind to yourself. Whatever that looks like for you <>
 
What is a favorite memory you have of your head coach?
One of my favorite memories of Andy was from my freshman year when the team did the "ugly suit" contest for Halloween practice. The coaches came out dressed up in costumes and spent all of practice telling fun stories, giving us candy (throwing it at us, to be specific lol) and it was the first time I really got a sense of their goofy side.
 
Quote from Head Coach Andy Clark:
As one of our team's sprinters, Marcella brought her enthusiasm every day to the pool and whether it was a meet or practice, there wasn't a time where we didn't hear her cheering on her teammates.  Her positivity and support of her team has been a superpower of hers that has consistently boosted the energy levels of her teammates.