Hunter College women's cross country junior standout Julia Leask was named the CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for October 2018.
Leask led the Hawks to their unprecedented fifth-straight CUNYAC Championship in 2018, after taking third in the 6k at 25:38.1. Leask's finish was second amongst senior college runners and earned her a spot on the CUNYAC All-Star Team.
Leask, who was recognized as the CUNYAC Preseason Runner of the Year prior to the season, only took an interest in cross country in her senior year of high school, and since then, she has found running to be a labor of love and a way to relax, outside of her daily routine.
"I love running, because it feels like I am gliding out there," Leask said. "It feels like I am meditating. I can just zone out."
Leask, a 3.8 GPA student in Clinical Psychology, believes that the key to being a successful runner and student is to be focused and dedicated.
"In order to do well in cross country and track, it is important to show up every day and always try," Leask stated. "No matter what I do, it is better than nothing. I try to carry that over to the classroom by attending most of my classes and using my time wisely."
Leask then commented: "Participating in collegiate athletics has taught me that I can wake up early, get through serious pain, be grateful for all of the brilliant people it has brought into my life and how to be slightly less shy. I find it really hard to speak up in general and in the classroom, but I often think that if I can get through a workout, I can surely raise my hand to answer a question."
Upon graduation, Leask hopes to further her education at Hunter and earn a master's degree in nutrition. The exceptional nutrition program at Hunter was a part of Leask's decision to attend the school.
"I chose Hunter because of the master's program in nutrition that I would like to apply to this March, and hopefully attend next fall," said Leask. "With a master's in nutrition and a degree in clinical psychology, I would like to work with people who have eating or substance abuse disorders."
Leask currently serves as an intern at the National Eating Disorders Association and volunteers to teach a nutrition class at a halfway house in Harlem.
"I am very grateful for my teammates and coaches for the support and help in being pushed out of my comfort zone, both athletically and mentally," Leask said about being named the Scholar-Athlete of the Month. "I think any academic success I have had is entirely because of my team."