Day in the Life: Varsity Athlete at Guilford College

Name: Caitlyn Reese

Year in School: Freshman

Major: Sports Management

Years Playing Rugby: 3 ½ years

Position in Rugby: Flanker and Center

Caitlyn (L) pictured with teammate

Why did you choose your school?

I chose Guilford for two reasons. First, Coach Newcomb was incredibly welcoming and followed through on everything she said she would do. In my opinion, that’s the best quality a coach can have. Second, the campus and its liveliness really drew me in. It’s so green and beautifully designed, and the people were genuinely welcoming, which made the decision to choose Guilford easy.

What was your process of being recruited?

I had a profile on Next Phase Rugby, and that’s how Coach Newcomb first contacted me to set up a Zoom meeting. After that initial conversation, we stayed in touch for about six months, until Assistant Coach Randy Little came to one of my rugby tournaments and invited me to a recruiting weekend to tour the campus and get a feel for the area. During my visit, I was given my offer, and Coach Newcomb made sure my family and I had time to talk it over on our own, so the decision was truly ours. After discussing it, I accepted the offer, secured my spot, and officially committed to Guilford.

What are your favorite parts about being a member of the rugby program?

My favorite part of being on the rugby team is the family aspect. We’re such a close-knit group that you already have your own little community when you come in. We know we can go to anyone on the team, whether we need support or just someone to joke around with, and there will always be someone there. We protect each other no matter what, on or off the pitch.

What are your favorite parts about being a student at your school?

My favorite part of being a student at Guilford is the freedom I have with my classes. I appreciate that my CAPE advisors recommend courses for my major, but never push me into classes I’m not ready for. I’ve been able to schedule classes I genuinely enjoy while still staying on track with my major and credits.

How do you balance schoolwork and rugby?

I balance the two by creating a daily schedule that leaves blocks of time for studying around my practice or lift sessions. My class schedule is spaced far enough apart from practice that I have time to study or finish assignments beforehand. Coach Newcomb is also very focused on us keeping our grades up and checks in to make sure we’re on track, which makes prioritizing school easier because we know she has our back.

What does a typical day and/or week look like for you? A typical week for me goes like this: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have three classes from 8:30–12:45, and then I get some schoolwork done before heading to practice, which usually lasts about two hours, followed by a team dinner. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I don’t have any classes, so I either go to my work study in the fitness center and do homework, or I get a workout in before practice and then team dinner. On Mondays after classes, I make up my lift since I can’t make the 8 AM lift with my 8:30 class. On Tuesdays, we have lifts after practice, so we end practice a little early to grab dinner before lifting. Finally, we also lift on Thursday mornings, and then I get breakfast and take care of some clean-up chores from the week.

Guilford Campus

What’s the biggest challenge about playing rugby at your school?

The biggest challenge about playing rugby at Guilford is competing at such a high collegiate level. Coming from high school rugby, it was a significant adjustment. However, I’ve realized that this challenge is pushing me to become a better player and helping me reach my full potential.

Besides rugby, what else are you involved in on campus?

Besides rugby, I am involved in a work-study program at the fitness center. I can be in the gym, at the desk greeting people, or in the laundry room handling team uniforms. This also gives me the chance to help the assistant athletic director with field setups or tournament preparations happening around campus. I am also looking into internship opportunities in sports management.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with a high school player who is interested in your

school?

One thing I would share with a high school player is that no matter how far you have to travel for this school, it’s worth it. I am so glad I chose Guilford. It’s a small school that allows for close support from professors, strong friendships, and a lively, festive campus life.

School Website: https://www.guilford.edu/

Women's Team Website: https://guilfordquakers.com/sports/womens-rugby Head Coach Christine Newcomb cnewcomb@guilford.edu