Spotlight: Leticia Salazar, Women's Swimming
Having never swam the distance events prior to this past season, Leticia Salazar competed in seven meets in 2014-15 as a distance specialist, swimming primarily in the grueling 500-yard and 1000-yard freestyle events. The two-time USCAA All-Academic Team member will also serve as Student Government Association Vice President this upcoming school year.
About you
Name: Leticia Salazar
Year: Senior
Hometown: Ridgewood, N.Y.
Sport: Women's Swimming
I came to St. Joseph's because…
CUNY and SUNY "lost" my application and looking through the other colleges SJC was the cheapest one. Then I realized this was the place I had to be to grow as an individual.
Your major…
Business Administration with a minor in Economics (I know… like why economics but Karl Marx is just soooo interesting lol)
Career goals after graduation…
There are many so get ready…
1. Get into a school of Business (Top are Boston University and Baruch)
2. Work for a NonProfit that helps my community, especially the low-income
3. Eventually get my Doctorates
My dream job is…
Open my own NonProfit to help low-income children get into College and make their career dreams a reality.
Summer plans…
Well since summer is basically over I'll tell you what I did.
1. Barely slept
2. Had a mini day vacation here and there
3. Worked a lot in and out of school to prepare for this coming semester.
But most of all had fun in whatever I did.
A unique/interesting talent of mine…
Ask my friends, they'll tell you everything I'm "talented at" in a non-realistic way.
If you could play another sport other than your own, what would it be…
Even though I am bad at EVERY sport I play if I had to choose I'd say soccer or cycling… it's in my blood.
Being a Lady Bear...
Story behind your jersey number…
Hold on… Let me check if my swimsuit has a number… Ummm not there but I do have a lane number, the one a only, LANE 4 #breakingrecordseveryday lol
Most memorable moment in a Bears/Lady Bears uniform…
Every moment wearing the Lady Bears uniform has been memorable. If I could do it again I will without a doubt.
Funniest moment in practice/pre-game with Coach…
Hahahahaha ALL OF THEM. The stories, the insiders (#checkengine), the Collin's stories (do I get bonus seconds for this?), winning the Championship and of course the bus rides because my teammates are the craziest!
Pre-game rituals or superstitions…
Before jumping into the pool I do the sign of the cross and even though I can't wear it while competing I have my red rosary anklet for good luck and protection.
My pump up song before a game is…
Ummm all my ratchet music lol. **Don't ask why but they get me pumped**
Favorite road trip so far…
Can't pick and choose because each trip has had its own memory making it special.
My goal(s) for this season is/are to…
Break personal records in any event even if I'm down by a millisecond.
This Skyline Conference is great and I know my team and I will do its best to keep improving meet after meet sooo with that being said EVERYONE should come and support :)
Favorite feature of The Hill Center…
The bathrooms because I don't have to look for the switch to turn on the lights lololol. Just kidding, I love the building in its entirety.
When I found out The Hill Center was finally open, I…
thought it was a joke until I read the e-mail and then ran to check it out to plan how many days a week I would spend there.
Reaction when you heard Starbucks and Chipotle was opening on Myrtle Ave…
1. Starbucks→ YAYAYA!!!
2. Chipotle → Boy oh boy people will be talking about that fake Mexican food all day, everyday.
Speed Round…
iPhone or Android… iPhone
LeBron, Kobe or Jordan… Ummmmm
Yankees or Mets… Mets because I was born in Queens
Jets or Giants… Not a Football fan
Rangers or Islanders… Not a Hockey fan
Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks… Dunkin for its donuts and Starbucks for their Very Berry Hibiscus
Beach or Pool… Pool of course but beach to tan
"Game of Thrones" or "Breaking Bad"… Haven't watched "Game of Thrones" and just started watching "Breaking Bad" so I'll tell you later
Alex or Piper (OITNB)… Gloria Mendoza, she goes hardcore.
Twitter or Facebook… Both
On being social media famous...
Number of…
Twitter followers: 105
Facebook friends: 720
Instagram followers: 362
The most likes you've received on an Instagram photo and what was the photo of?
Going back in Instagram time was a picture of my little cousins with 89 likes. The most recent one was of SGA (LIFT) during the Leadership Luncheon with 73 likes.
Follow first or follow second?
Depends but I would do either/or
True or false? I don't post more than one Insta a day and I secretly judge people that do.
Soooo True!
Your favorites…
Favorite sports team(s)…
SJC Bears and Lady Bears
Favorite professional athlete (past or present) …
Me!! lol
Favorite TV show…
Friends, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, PLL (even though they still don't know who A is)
Favorite SJC Professor…
Professor Petriano. Such an inspiration! I recommend everyone to take a class with him (especially the one where you can go to Nicaragua) you'll enjoy every bit of the class and trip.
Favorite SJC Staff member…
Everyone in SJC whether you are a Student Life staff, part of the Athletics staff, and even Plant staff you all contribute a lot to the college to make our 4 year stay a memorable one.
Favorite quote/motto…
My motto: You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go, and see what happens.
Final thoughts…
Anything you'd like to share with all the rest of the Bears family …
First and foremost, Thank you!!! It has been an honor being part of this BIG family! I take with me many unerasable memories. To my parents, family and friends.. Look I made it to the BEAR SPOTLIGHT lol! Beyond grateful for the love, support, and help from my teammate that have helped me improve year after year! I can't forget my sistah's; they have made my SJC experience like no other!
Previous Summer Spotlights:
Michael Megafu, Men's Basketball
Lauren GaNun, Women's Volleyball, Swimming & Basketball
Nolan Parr, Men's Tennis, Soccer & Basketball
Shannon Fahy, Women's Soccer & Tennis
Nicholas LoPrinzi, Baseball
Jillian O'Hara, Women's Swimming
Norrin Martinez, Men's Volleyball
Cassandra Nasta, Women's Volleyball
Brittany Cervino, Women's Basketball
Oscar Melendez, Head Athletic Trainer
Thomas Rushin, Men's Cross Country
Thomas Kennedy, Men's Volleyball
Check back every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer for our next spotlight. (If any student-athletes would like to participate on a future spotlight, please e-mail amacapugay@sjcbears.com.)