Life on the Ridge- a Look into the life of UOIT Varsity Athletes

This week's feature athlete for Life on the Ridge is UOIT tennis player Astrid De Souza. She has been on the Ridgebacks tennis team for the past two seasons and is studying Life Sciences. She was the 2011-12 UOIT overall freshman athlete of the year.

1. What influenced your love and commitment to the sport?
My parents always loved the sport but growing up they were never given the opportunity to play it. My commitment comes from years of practicing and matches, and always striving to do better.

2. What is your go-to pregame meal?
Pasta.

3. Do you enjoy positive rivalries with opponents and teammates?
Yes, positive rivalry always pushes me to do better and helps me find new ways to improve my game.

4. What team is your biggest rival?
Every year, we're the most pumped to play McMaster. We always have tight matches against them and at the end of the day it can be anyone's game.

5. What is the greatest goal you've ever achieved?
Gave up eating meat for 40 days during Lent which was really tough since I love barbequed ribs and chicken wings.

6. How would you compare your life as a varsity athlete to other students in your program focussing only on academics?
Being a varsity athlete opens up so many different opportunities and provides awesome experiences with fellow team mates that you would not have met being a student that just focused on academics. You also receive a sense of pride representing your university.

7. Tell us something interesting about yourself that we wouldn't know.
Love extreme sports and the adrenaline rush you get.

8. Who is your biggest fan and why?
My dad because he would always drive me to all my matches growing up and stay to watch no matter how early or late they were.

9. Who on your team is the "class clown" and always good for a laugh?
Heather Murphy and Kelly Massicotte are two people that I love having around and can always count on to make me laugh even after a tough match.

10. What was the best advice you were ever given?
Don't stress too much about the future and live in the present. Anything can happen.

11. Who on your team has the funniest nickname?
No one really has a nickname per say but everyone on the team jokes around with each other.

12. After University and after competitive sport is done, where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years I see myself as a dentist who, of course, will still be playing tennis.

13. What do you do in your training that is key to your success as an athlete?
I run a lot. In tennis it is always important to be physically fit and quick on your feet.

14. Do you think your life as a student-athlete will help you in your future goals and aspirations and to be a better person in general?
Definitely! Being a student-athlete has taught me a lot about creating a balance between studying and remaining active in sports. I have met many amazing people and incredible teammates that have both inspired and helped me become a better person and will cherish these memories wherever I go.