Spring Senior Scholar-Athlete Spotlight: Hannah Malkofsky-Berger
5/21/2020 10:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Thirty-three seniors were on Davidson Wildcat rosters as this spring began, and though their 2020 seasons were abbreviated, their contributions to their respective teams, the overall athletics program and college itself make them worthy of recognition. Each Tuesday and Thursday, we will feature members of the class of 2020 as part of the Senior Spring Scholar-Athlete Spotlight.
Name: Hannah-Malkofsky-Berger
Sport you competed in: Women's Track & Field
What is your major?: Majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies
What was your favorite class and why?: Gender, Race, and Sports because it was the intersection of three topics I'm very interested in and is so relevant to our lives.
Where did you complete your studies this semester?: Nashville, Tenn.
Though it was cut short, what will you remember most about your senior season?: I dropped everything I knew and picked up a new event for my senior season. I had been a pole vaulter for eight years and was no longer enjoying it. Luckily, my coaches were understanding and incredibly supportive of me staying on the team, so we decided I try javelin (although I had never done it before). I trained from August, through indoor track season (because javelin competition is only outdoor season), up until we were one week away from me finally competing again in my new event. Although I never got to compete as a javelin thrower or as a senior, I will always cherish the opportunity for a fresh start that my coaches allowed me and the excitement of a renewed drive and spirit that training this year gave me.
What was the defining moment of your athletic career?: Switching to become a javelin thrower as a senior.
What was your favorite trip you took as a team and why?: Spring break to Myrtle Beach - we stayed right on the beach, hanging with the team was super fun, and I competed well!
Most memorable college moment outside of competition?: Living in Base Rich freshman year or putting together and performing two Live Thursdays.
Did you have a pre-game/match/meet superstition?: Once I started warming up, I was pretty much in the zone--no more talking to people, focused demeanor. I also did the same pre-jump routine at my runway mark before each vault (set my right hand then my left hand, bend the pole two times, lift the pole, deep breath, rock back on my right foot, then start).
What lessons from sports has helped you deal with the unusual situation of the spring semester?: The importance of maintaining routine, staying active, supporting one another, and knowing that despite how much work/effort/love we put in there are still things out of our control.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Wildcat?: All of the relationships I've made.
Who do you want to thank for their support?: Coach Molly Vahrenkamp, Coach Dave Calvert, Coach Terrence Hearst, Coach Evan Simon, Coach Brian Doyle and Coach Jen Straub.
What's next for you?: Hopefully a job in either sports or the prison system!
Name: Hannah-Malkofsky-Berger
Sport you competed in: Women's Track & Field
What is your major?: Majoring in Psychology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies
What was your favorite class and why?: Gender, Race, and Sports because it was the intersection of three topics I'm very interested in and is so relevant to our lives.
Where did you complete your studies this semester?: Nashville, Tenn.
Though it was cut short, what will you remember most about your senior season?: I dropped everything I knew and picked up a new event for my senior season. I had been a pole vaulter for eight years and was no longer enjoying it. Luckily, my coaches were understanding and incredibly supportive of me staying on the team, so we decided I try javelin (although I had never done it before). I trained from August, through indoor track season (because javelin competition is only outdoor season), up until we were one week away from me finally competing again in my new event. Although I never got to compete as a javelin thrower or as a senior, I will always cherish the opportunity for a fresh start that my coaches allowed me and the excitement of a renewed drive and spirit that training this year gave me.
What was the defining moment of your athletic career?: Switching to become a javelin thrower as a senior.
What was your favorite trip you took as a team and why?: Spring break to Myrtle Beach - we stayed right on the beach, hanging with the team was super fun, and I competed well!
Most memorable college moment outside of competition?: Living in Base Rich freshman year or putting together and performing two Live Thursdays.
Did you have a pre-game/match/meet superstition?: Once I started warming up, I was pretty much in the zone--no more talking to people, focused demeanor. I also did the same pre-jump routine at my runway mark before each vault (set my right hand then my left hand, bend the pole two times, lift the pole, deep breath, rock back on my right foot, then start).
What lessons from sports has helped you deal with the unusual situation of the spring semester?: The importance of maintaining routine, staying active, supporting one another, and knowing that despite how much work/effort/love we put in there are still things out of our control.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Wildcat?: All of the relationships I've made.
Who do you want to thank for their support?: Coach Molly Vahrenkamp, Coach Dave Calvert, Coach Terrence Hearst, Coach Evan Simon, Coach Brian Doyle and Coach Jen Straub.
What's next for you?: Hopefully a job in either sports or the prison system!
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