Name: Charlie Marquardt
Sports: Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field
Hometown: Pasadena, Calif.
High School: Loyola
Major: Biology
Why did you choose Haverford?
I chose Haverford because I was looking for a school where I could have the freedom to challenge myself academically on par with the best colleges and universities in the nation, without it being a cutthroat environment, a place where I would be surrounded by a helpful community that would support me whenever I needed it.
What is your favorite team experience?
My favorite team experience has definitely been winning the Centennial Conference cross country meet in 2014. I won the title individually, and immediately turned around to see my teammates finish in second, third, sixth, and ninth place. We had lost the meet the year before, and it just felt so good to be back on top, with all of the hard work we put in over the summer and fall finally paying off.
Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I chose to continue running in college because it's my passion. I can't imagine my life without running, and I found that Haverford seemed like the best place for me to continue being competitive in my sport while getting a great education.
What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
The important part about the term "student-athlete" is that the word "student" comes first. I'm at Haverford, an academic institution first and foremost, so I try my best to get good grades and study throughout the day, and then go to practice in the afternoon. Academics are always going to take precedence over athletics. This being said, being a student and being an athlete are not mutually exclusive things. Part of being a good student is keeping your body and mind healthy: getting enough sleep, eating right, etc. Those are also things that contribute to being a good athlete, so whenever I make an effort to get my work done early so I can to bed at a reasonable hour, I'm not just trying to be a better student or a better athlete, I'm trying to be a better all-around student-athlete.
What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
If you're considering Haverford, try to spend a whole day here! Don't just go to a class, but try to have a meal or two, spend the night in a dorm, really talk with people, etc. I feel like when I was looking at colleges, I didn't get a good enough look at what student life was actually like outside of the classroom. Maybe try to get lost in the library or spend an hour in a popular hangout place like The Coop. If you play a sport, talk to the coach and see if you can come to practice or hang out with them afterwards.