Hours after finishing the Maroon Cross Country Invitational 6K in 25:07 in Roanoke College's home cross country meet Saturday, senior Susanna Price won three events in a home swimming victory over Hollins University. She touched the wall first in the 100 backstroke in 1:02.84 and took the 200 back in 2:13.72. She was also part of the winning 200 medley relay team. 
 
In addition to her exploits in cross country, swimming, and track and field, Price is majoring in Health and Exercise Science, and also Psychology with a 3.959 cumulative GPA.
 
We asked Susanna what that day was like and how she manages being a year-round multisport athlete here at Roanoke College.
 
Question: Have you ever competed in two varsity collegiate events in the same day before? How long ago did you determine that you were going to do both?
 
Susanna: No, I have never had two different varsity competitions in the same day. I have both XC and swim practices in the same day multiple times a week, but I have never competed in a meet for both in the same day. I actually never ran competitively at all before coming to Roanoke, I only swam. I started running track in the spring of my sophomore year because I was bored when the swim season ended. After that, I started practicing with the cross-country team in the fall of my junior year to stay in shape before swim season started, and I ended up completing the whole XC season. Since I enjoyed XC last fall, I decided to do it again this fall, even though there is a lot of overlap with swimming. I looked ahead at the meet schedule for both sports as soon as they came out, so I knew several weeks in advance I was going to have this one day where I had both events.
 
Q: Can you run us through your day on Saturday?

Susanna: For swimming, we almost always have practice at 5:30 on Saturday mornings, even on days where we have a meet. I woke up at 5:00 and headed over to the Salem YMCA for 5:30 practice. I only swam the warm-up so that I could loosen up a little bit before both of my competitions. After warm-up, I got out and helped my coaches get my teammates times on the set they were doing. After practice ended at 7:30, I came back to my room and ate breakfast before I headed out to Green Hill Park for the XC meet, which started at 10:30. Once I finished my race and cooled down, I headed back to my room for a quick lunch before heading back the Y for 12:30 meet warm-ups. The meet started at 2 p.m. and we were probably done around 5 p.m. Once I was all done competing for the day I went out to dinner with my grandparents and then crashed for the rest of the evening.
 
Q: Competing in cross country, swimming and track and field, as well as excelling in the classroom has to take excellent time management skills. How do you make it work?

Susanna: My planner is my best friend when it comes to time management. I have all my assignments for all my classes written down in it, and I check and double check it all the time. I also have my meet schedule written down in there, so I always am looking ahead and making sure that I get things done before a meet. I also try to designate time every evening after practices and classes to sit down and work on anything that is due or work ahead.
 
Q: What is special about Roanoke College?

Susanna: Roanoke College is special to me because it has given me so many opportunities that I might not have gotten at a different place. Competing in multiple sports is a good example of this. But I have also been able to establish good relationships with my professors, which has given me the opportunity to do research as an undergraduate, which I know is not always a possibility at larger schools. It has also given me an amazing friend group, both on the swim team and the cross country team. The coaches are also amazing; definitely some of the best I've ever had.
 
Q: What are your plans after graduation?

Susanna: After graduation, I am planning on attending grad school for a masters in exercise physiology. My top choice for a program would be Colorado State. I am still trying to figure out where I go after that.
 
What they are saying:
 
"Susanna is an incredibly hard worker. She always strives to get better every single day and it is honestly so impressive. It is hard to find people who are willing to push themselves like that every day, but Susanna makes it look easy. She is a beast and I look forward to seeing her continue to prove people wrong."

Dominic Breschi
Roanoke College Head Men and Women's Swimming Coach
 
 
"Susanna is clearly a very motivated and dedicated student athlete. She's always up for a new challenge, and she always shows up ready to work and with a positive attitude! 
 
We love having her around, and I'm glad myself and the swim coaches (Coach Breschi) have been able to work out a healthy balance for her throughout the fall."
 
Derek Workman
Roanoke College Director of Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field