Maia Wahlquist '21 Recruiting Profile

Academics have always been extremely important to me. Since I was a child, I have aspired to become a physicist. During my high school career, I have taken several honors physics courses. I want to continue taking physics related courses in high school and move on to earn my PhD, potentially in experimental physics. My goal for the future is to begin working in a STEM related field. 

I moved to Switzerland from St. Louis, Missouri in sixth grade. Once the school year began, I entered an integration program at the local school where I was fully immersed in the German language. Once I reached a certain level of fluency, I was allowed to leave the program and attend a regular Swiss school. After finishing the year there, I transferred once more to an elite boarding school where I completed grades 8 and 9. I continued to study German and Swiss German and became fluent in both. 

During my time abroad, I had the opportunity to travel extensively. I visited 39 countries including several in Asia and Africa. I was fully exposed to numerous cultures and lifestyles that differed completely from my own. It was an eye-opening experience. I witnessed true poverty and became aware of the difficult living conditions common to much of the human race. These experiences helped me better understand the world in which we live, and I can now better appreciate the true beauty each culture and country has to offer.  I am very grateful for these experiences as they changed me and altered my mindset completely. 

My life experiences have helped me as an athlete in many ways. At practices, I support all of the athletes on my team in every way possible. When an athlete struggles with certain challenges, whether in life or in the sport, I do my best to be the first to respond and help them as best as possible. I consider my team to be my family and their well-being is just as important as my own. I've stayed after practice for hours talking with the younger athletes to prove to them that people care and are willing to help. Additionally, I am open to doing whatever is best for the team. My coaches, in letters, have written about the times they have asked me what events I want to compete in at championship meets. I always respond with "I will do whatever will best help the team." Despite competing as an individual, the team will always be something I value and want to give my all for. 

I love this sport, and my passion is reflected in my dedication. I remain at school for hours after practice on most days to work out in the weight room and increase my overall strength and endurance. I take pride in my commitment to track and field, and I know that my work will be reflected in my results. For example, during my first ever track season, I was jumping in the seventeen foot range. Once the season ended, I continued practicing after school and within a few weeks of daily practice, I was consistently jumping in the eighteen foot range. I'm disappointed I wasn't able to demonstrate my capabilities during a 2020 spring track season, but I continue to work hard and can't wait for winter track to begin.

I am beyond excited to see what the future holds for me in my track and field career. I hope to be able to continue the sport in college and grow into an even better athlete and competitor.