Ethel Walker School
Alumna Mariah Dunn ’19 reflects on her participation in Walker’s athletics and how it has shaped her college experience at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT.
While at Walker’s, Mariah played varsity basketball, receiving the 2017 MVP award. In the 2019-2020 season, she served as one of three varsity basketball captains and received the Coaches Award.
Looking back on Walker’s Athletics
“Walker’s prepared me very well for college, especially being an athlete,” said Mariah. “While at Walker’s, I learned how to maintain a balance of academics and sports so I was not too overwhelmed with either one. Having a study hall in high school helped a lot because in college I set aside specific hours as to when I would do schoolwork.”
The first season on collegiate basketball
“My first season of collegiate basketball went better than I expected. The first three months were very rough for me. Pre-season was tough because I was competing against teammates who have been there before me so they already knew what was coming during the practices. Conditioning was the worst part by far, but everything about the season was great. We ended 24-5 and made history while doing it.” It should be noted that Dunn was selected three times as the Little East Conference Rookie-of-the-Week!
Advice on balancing academic and school
“Some advice I can give on balancing academics and school is to complete the work as early as possible. You don’t realize how much free time you have, so do the work as soon as possible so you are not falling behind in class.”
Encouragement for Walker’s athletes
“Playing sports in college is a blessing – academically, socially and physically. If anyone is thinking about playing sports in college, I say go for it. You will have the best time of your life and you will gain a bunch of new girlfriends while playing the sport you love.”
For more information on Mariah’s freshman impact season:
https://www.gowarriorathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/releases/20191217plyzm1
https://www.gowarriorathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/releases/dunn-lec_row
