University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Spotlight - Emma Terwilliger
01/08/2015 | Women's Swimming & Diving
 |
|
| Spider Bytes | |
| Class: | Junior |
| Hometown: | Niskayuna, N.Y. |
| High School: | Niskayuna |
| Club Team: | Albany Starfish |
| Major: | Political Science |
| 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...
• Listen this tale of a trip to Australia, in her words...
"I was lucky enough to spend a month of my summer abroad in Australia with Melissa. I know both of us had an amazing time in Australia and will cherish the memories we made there for the rest of our lives. Although the hours logged flying there (19 total hours on a plane from JFK to Townsville!) were long and never ending, they were totally worth it! Of course being my over adventurous and clumsy self, I landed my first ambulance ride three days into the trip after slipping on some barnacles. I ended up getting five stitches in my butt and taking antibiotics in case I got some sort of possible infection. From that point on my nickname for the rest of the trip was “Barnacle Butt” and I got a lot of butt jokes. Melissa and I definitely took our relationship to the next level post injury since she got the pleasure of helping me put my clothes on and putting ointment on my butt and foot."
After that I figured I was all set with bad luck for the rest of the trip but a few days later in the rainforest I discovered little bites covering both of my legs. Turns out that while hiking, a mite of some sort ate up both my legs thus resulting in my second injury of the trip: scrub itch. This was easily cured with another trip to the doctor and some cream to take the itch away. After that I figured I was definitely done with weird random injuries for the rest of the trip but it turns out I had one more left. While swimming on the Great Barrier Reef I somehow managed to snorkel too deep and perforated my right eardrum. Since we still had another day on the reef I didn't tell my professor about the pain in my ear so I could go out on the reef again- it was totally worth it. The reef is easily the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It was so surreal being able to explore something that took millions of years to create. Finally, two days after the injury I went to the doctor and was told I wasn't allowed to swim for the next few weeks."
Despite all the injuries Australia was an amazing experience and one that I will surely never forget! Everyone was so kind and inviting, especially all of the medical professionals I met!"
Meet Emma...
Career aspirations: I'm not exactly sure what I want to do but I've always been passionate about education reform and healthcare so I think something that combines both of those fields.
Best or most memorable moment as a member of your Spider program: There are so many! While, seeing everyone's hard work pay off at the end of the year at A-10s is a lot much fun, the moments outside the pool are unforgettable. I think one of my favorites was the time Allison convinced herself that she got attacked by a stingray on training trip. I also suggest that everyone watch any Kelley Yang interview, just priceless stuff there.
The best nickname on the team: Matt likes to call Kelley Yang “eel”, Natalya Ares “bird lady” and Allison Titley “donkey”…I guess he really likes animals
Toughest opponents: My teammates hate to lose
Working to improve: Everything!
Best sports memory: Watching Kelley Yang swim the 200 fly
Favorite meal: Everyone on the team knows I love my mac and cheese, burgers and apple pie.
Favorite ice cream: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
On your playlist: a mix of country and pop
Most embarrassing thing on your playlist: I've been known to enjoy the occasional Celine Dion.
If you had one wish: “That would be harsher punishment for parole violators, Stan…and world peace” ……thank you, "Miss Congeniality"
What most people don't know about you: I can puff out my cheeks and smile
If you could go on any game show: Wipeout. After hours of watching I've realized that contestants lose the most amount of time between obstacles so since the swimming portion wouldn't be too hard for me, I think I could actually win!
Hidden talent: Getting extremely weird and embarrassing injuries (I have gotten second degree burns on my face from a burning marshmallow and stitches in my butt from slipping on barnacles)
Dream car: At this point any car will do…
If you could travel anywhere in the world: South Africa and England
Favorite class: U.S Healthcare Policy / Politics
Pets: I have a standard poodle, Mogul!
Hero: My parents- they have always been there for me and made so many sacrifices for both my sister and me
Favorite childhood TV show: I was a true PBS child so Barney when I was a toddler, and then Arthur and Cyber Chase as I got older
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive: The entire British Royal Family
If you could have any superpower: Teleportation... I am too type-A and impatient for waiting in lines
Players Mentioned
