MAKAYLA McGOWAN
The following is a spotlight profile on Makayla McGowan, one of VCU's two nominees for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award. The Atlantic 10 institutions nominated a total of 14 outstanding student-athletes for the award (READ MORE). The A-10 will profile each of the institutional nominees.
PROFILE
Makayla McGowan is an Atlantic 10 Champion nine times over, with three individual gold medals and six team titles with VCU. She reached the NCAA East Preliminaries in 2022 in the discus and was the Atlantic 10 Most Outstanding Field Performer in both 2021 and 2022. She also earned second team All-State honors from VaSID. A member of the VCU Dean's List all four years, McGowan earned her undergraduate degree in 2020, graduating magna cum laude. She was inducted into the Phi Kappa Pi honor society in 2019 and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2017. She was also an All-Academic selection in A-10 Track and Field from 2020-22. McGowan also has volunteered her time with the Boys and Girls Club and the Richmond Marathon.
SNAPSHOT
Sport: Track & Field
Events: Throws
Major: Fashion Merchandising
Minor: Business
Hometown: Bristow, Va.
Q&A WITH MAKAYLA
Q: What would you consider the top moment of your college career?
The top moment of my college career was hitting a PR during my final track & field meet at the NCAA East Preliminaries.
Q: What was the hardest obstacle you faced as a student-athlete?
The hardest thing I faced as a student athlete was getting injured right before the indoor season during my junior year. I’m very competitive and love the meet atmosphere, so it was tough to sit out and miss the competition season.
Q: Who or what has been your biggest inspiration or motivation?
My teammates have been my biggest inspiration throughout my college career; they are the hardest workers I know and truly want to be the best. We always motivated and encouraged each other which was a great team dynamic to be a part of.
Q: What are three words your teammates would use to describe you, and why?
I think my teammates would describe me as ambitious because I’m very committed to reaching my goals, encouraging because I love cheering them on and get so excited to see them succeed, and introverted because I’m a little more on the reserved side.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of earning my Master’s degree this past semester. Being a collegiate student athlete is a huge commitment, so I’m glad I was able to handle the demands of both my academic and athletic obligations.
Q: Pick one song that would describe you and one that would describe your team.
The song I would pick to describe myself is Breathe Deeper by Tame Impala and one that would describe my team is Big Rings by Drake.
Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
The top things on my bucket list are to see the Northern Lights, go to the Super Bowl, and see a show at New York Fashion Week.