National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Impacting the Next Generation

February 2, 2022 marked the 36th National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD).  This year is particularly special given we are also closing in on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, a monumental moment for the inclusion of women in sports at schools in the United States. Duquesne Athletics wants to celebrate by sharing the experiences and skills of our female student-athletes in all of our women's programs. 

To encourage the participation of youth in sports, our female student-athletes will be sharing their experiences, providing tips, and showcasing their skills in tutorial videos.  This booklet is designed for youth to gain knowledge directly from our student-athletes and apply what they learn to their life as they continue to pursue sports!  Each page is dedicated to and highlights a women's program within Duquesne Athletics, and you'll be hearing directly from our student-athletes themselves.  At the end of the booklet, all children will have the opportunity to complete an interactive worksheet by filling in their answers to questions.  Any young athlete who completes the final page and submits their answers to vorcel@duq.edu will receive a certificate of completion and free ticket voucher to a Duquesne women's basketball game next season.  Have fun and #GoDukes!

Check out our skills sessions series with all of our women's athletic programs below.  We'll continue to upload new skills videos throughout the rest of this school year.  Want to try out the skills yourselves?  Show us what you got by sharing your own skills videos on social media using #DUQSkills.  We'll share our favorites!

ROWING

Rowing Athletes: Bridget Abbott and Bella Abbott

Skills: Rowing machine, planking, and scullers

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women's Soccer Athletes: Brooke Kirstein and Mackenzie Leeder

Skills: Tick tock pull backs, passing across the body and outside of the foot, and juggling

CHEERLEADING

Cheerleaders: Bridget Clark, Madison Otto, Mackenzie Reynolds, and Jess Towns

Skills: Heel stretch, bird front, half up to lib, back handspring, and back tuck

DANCE TEAM

Dukettes: Carly Bruno, Jaden Chou, Emma Darling, Jill Funari, Elisa Gabriel, Lauren McGaffin, and Lexi Waterman

Skills: Pirouette, leg hold, and side leap

BOWLING

Bowling Athletes: Ranelle Ulanday, Shannon Small, Morgan Brookover, Jessica Cadez, and Olivia Farwell

Skills: Station with PCP pipes & ribbons, spare station, and station with dots

TENNIS

Women's Tennis Athletes: Margot Pessy, Ellen Shanahan, Meredith Lee, Priyanka Mitta, and Blanca Benet García

Skills: Forehand, backhand, volley, and serve

LACROSSE

Lacrosse Athletes: Mackenzie Leszczynski, Emily O'Donnell, Rachel O'Toole, and Corinne Webb

Skills: Draws, stick trick: rainbow, 8-meter shot

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD

Women's Cross Country/Track & Field Athletes: Tori Kocsis and Brooke Krally

Skills: Balance boards, hurdle drills, and bands

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Athletes: Ashley Larson, Ellie Lund, and Madison Floyd

Skills: Passing, set, and attack

SWIMMING & DIVING

Swimming & Diving Athletes: Mendy De Rooi

Skills: Start (three-part drill)

BASKETBALL

Basketball Athletes: Megan McConnell, Tess Myers, Precious Johnson, and Amaya Hamilton

Skills: Ball handling and partner passing