Her athletic success mirrors her success in the classroom. An international business major with a minor in economics, the native of Guayaquil, Ecuador, expressed to her parents since high school her decision to study in the United States. “I chose New York because it’s a place where you are constantly facing challenges in a very competitive environment.”
As a two-sport athlete in cross country and swimming, she has mastered the art of time management. Her 3.35 grade point average testifies to that.
January was a good month for the captain of the swimming team, as in four different meets she won gold three events. That’s twelve wins in twelve races, including three new school records in the 50-yard butterfly, 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard medley relay team. To date, the junior holds eleven different swimming records at Baruch.
In the fall, Penaherrera was named the 2008 CUNYAC Cross Country Runner of the Year. A year ago, as a freshman, she was named Baruch Rookie of the Year for both cross country and swimming.
But success is not just found athletically. In high school at Unidad Educativa Mariscal Sucre in Guayaquil, she was class Valedictorian and has since earned the Arthur Milton Memorial Scholarship.
Now finishing her third year at Baruch, it’s time to start looking towards life after college. “I think I would enjoy a career as an Event Organizer or pursuing a career in international business.”
Already one of the most accomplished athletes in Baruch history in cross country and swimming, she takes her activities a step further. She has the running; has the swimming. Seems that’s two-thirds of her true athletic passion: triathlon. A member of the Ecuadorian National Triathlon Team, Penaherrera finished in second place at the 2003 South American Championships.
With such dedication, determination and hard work, Jessica Penaherrera truly defines the CUNY Athletic Conference/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete.