University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Spotlight - Natalya Ares
12/11/2014 | Women's Swimming & Diving
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| Spider Bytes | |
| Class: | Junior |
| Hometown: | Potomac, Md. |
| High School: | Winston Churchill |
| Swim Club: | Rockville Montgomery Swim Club |
| Major: | Environmental Studies |
| See Our Previous Spotlights | |
Twice a month, we'll visit with a different Spider swimming and diving student-athlete in the Spider Spotlight.
Did You Know...
• After seeing appearances on the Daily Show and The Colbert Report featuring astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Natalya realized she was enthralled with the power that his views on science had on people (she sites this specific reference from YouTube) and she wants to follow in that path, explaining that to make the environment relatable and understandable to people can touch everyone positively
• She is currently applying for summer internships for 2015, hoping to gain valuable experience in the environmental sciences discipline to prepare for a career in those fields
• A movie buff (and nearly a film major), she lists some of her favorite movies she's seen as Children of Men, Old Boy, Young Frankenstein, Spirited Away and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
• With her parents moving to the U.S. 25 years ago, Natalya's family has made it a point for her to travel. She has been to Argentina, Tokyo and Madrid to visit relatives, as well as trips to London and 
Iceland as notable recent destinations. She was most wowed by the Icelandic people and countryside, with some of the most unique views and culture in the world. The best part of Iceland in her opinioin? "The vibe of the people was great. They are very accepting and you can feel it in the way they treated not only tourists, but each other. And the natural scenery is very striking. You stand in the presence of things that make you feel insignificant."
Meet Natalya...
Career Aspirations: I would love to have a career in environmental journalism or science advocacy.
Best or most memorable moment as a member of your Spider program: The day before I moved out last spring, one of my best friends on the team who was about to graduate wanted to have a big send off. She was moving to Colorado so she spent the whole night packing and at around midnight, we did a victory lap around campus in her car. She opened all the windows, turned up the volume to a Lady Gaga song as loud as she could, and honked the horn as we made our way around campus. Meanwhile, I was sticking my body out of the moon roof screaming and laughing.
The best nickname on the team: I'd have to go with any nickname Kelley has because they're all based off of the animals she resembles, like “the eel” or “the cat”. Mine have never been never too great, although for a short period our weights trainer called me Rocky because I had scraped up both of my hands and had to get them wrapped.
Strengths: sprint free and sprint fly
Toughest opponents: It's corny to say this but my teammates. They really like to race and don't back down.
Working to improve: 200 free is my best event, so one of my biggest goals is definitely to improve that.
Best sports memory: When the McKayla Maroney meme was born at the Olympics in 2012.
Favorite meal: Probably long pasta noodles with lots of olive oil and parmesan cheese. Its nothing special but it reminds me of when I was little.
Favorite ice cream: Without getting into the different fancy brands, I'd have to say either cookie dough or the green mint chocolate chip.
On your playlist: I have a lot of variety, so it really depends on what mood I'm in. I can say with absolute certainty I have no country music at all.
Most embarrassing thing on your playlist: Missy Elliot's “Work It”.
If you have one wish: I'd wish for cheap, renewable energy to be available to everyone on Earth and for our use of fossil fuels like coal to stop.
What most people don't know about you: I am a first generation American. My parents moved here from Argentina about 25 years ago and I have lived here my entire life.
If you could go on any game show: I'm not sure if this counts but anything on the Food Network where I get to be a judge.
Hidden talent: I played piano up until I got to high school and actually competed.
Dream car: Tesla Model X
If you could travel anywhere in the world: Probably New Zealand but I would really like to go back to Iceland.
Favorite class: Physical Geography with Todd Lookingbill.
Pets: I have a German shepherd who is all white named Luna and a cat named Osha.
Hero: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Favorite childhood TV show: If we're going really far back into childhood, definitely Barney. Not so far back, it was The Simpsons.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive: I'd like to have more of a dinner party with Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. All four of them have such a great combination of being really smart and really funny.
If you could have any superpower: Teleportation
