Kara Vashey ‘26, an accounting major, is a weight, hammer, shot put, and discus thrower on Moravian University’s Women’s track and field team. Coached by Jon D’Ottavio, Ryan Harper, Jesse Baumman, Molly Sear, and Sean McFarland, Vashey has had a very successful indoor season on the team this year. Her next meets are on Mar. 28 and 29 at Widener University and on Apr. 4 and 5 at Muhlenberg College.
What is your favorite thing about the sport?
That success is easily measured. You go to practice every day, you work hard, and as a result, you throw far and earn points for your team. It is a very rewarding process when you are willing to take the extra steps.
Why did you choose to play at Moravian University?
The team, facilities, and coaching staff all seemed great.
What season is your sport played in?
We start training in the fall and begin competing in the winter and spring.
What accomplishments have you had while playing for Moravian?
In the 2023-2024 season, my sophomore year, I was Second Team All-Conference for the indoor weight throw. This year, junior year, I was able to break the school record in weight throwing. I then went on to break my own record twice after that, finishing with a school record of 16.57 meters. I also won 1st place and First Team All-Conference in the weight throw, qualified for regionals, placed 5th at regionals, and was named All-Metro Region for the weight throw.
What is your preseason like?
Preseason begins in the summer, making sure we hold ourselves accountable for workouts and lift on our own. When we get to school, we usually organize practices to get ourselves back in the swing of things before official practice begins. Practice officially begins in October, and we have our practice plans, conditioning, and lift scheduled depending on the day.
Who is your biggest sports inspiration?
Probably Sabrina Ionescu [a professional basketball player with the New York Liberty]. I played basketball growing up, and I would watch a lot of her games when I was in high school. I always remember how hard she worked to make a name for herself and get women’s sports the recognition that they deserve.
Why did you first get involved with this sport?
In middle and high school, I was very involved athletically during the fall and winter seasons. I was looking for something to do in the spring, and one of the coaches convinced me to try it out.
How do you spend your free time?
I usually hang out with my friends, do homework, or rewatch “Grey’s Anatomy” for the 100th time.
How do you balance your time?
A big reason I can balance my time as an athlete is because of the way Coach Jon schedules practices. He looks at everyone’s schedules and is able to make two to three practice times for each day, which takes a lot of stress off of us. Our coaches are also very understanding and flexible if something comes up last minute and practice needs to be moved, or we have to lift on our own.
What are some challenges as an athlete?
[They] are mostly mental. A sport like this is very individualized, and when it comes to conferences, a few points can make the biggest difference. I put a lot of pressure on myself and push myself to give 110% every day, not just when there’s a championship on the line. In doing this, I try to set a very high standard for myself so that anything less is unacceptable.
Everyone has days when they don’t feel good or would rather be doing anything else other than practicing. This mentality is especially important on those days because those are the moments that separate you from everyone else. Your ability to push past the mental blocks and work hard makes the biggest difference. I believe that you are responsible for your performance in athletics and every other aspect of life.
If you choose to show up every day and work hard, or you choose to cut corners, either end of the spectrum will be very evident.
