Natasia San Cartier still running strong in NCAA

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Once Greater Sudbury's Natasia San Cartier starts running, there's no stopping her.

The determined athlete is proving this ten-fold at Indiana State University where she is a member of the women's soccer team.

San Cartier went to Indiana State on a soccer scholarship and played her rookie season, but because of her athletic drive, she has now made the school's track and field team as a hurdler.

Once the soccer season had ended, San Cartier found herself outside the doors of the facility where the track and field team trains.

Something powerful was drawing her to it.

During her high school years, San Cartier was one of the elite hurdlers in the city and a multiple champion at both the city and NOSSA levels.

There was a hunger inside San Cartier which she just couldn't ignore, so she did the only thing she could do and that was to make the track and field team as well and keep running.

No easy task, since Indiana State competes at the Division I level, the highest, most grueling level in United States college sports and attracts the world's top young athletes.

San Cartier summoned her unrelenting courage and approached the coaches of the two sports about the possibility of doing both.

Once track coach John Gartland saw San Cartier's blazing speed and tremendous leaping abilities, he became a believer.

San Cartier is now working on becoming an elite hurdler, as well as a top soccer player, and loving every bit of the punishing challenge she has given herself.

"I'm a determined competitor," the 18-year-old said. "I'm doing two sports now after people told me it would be impossible. I can prove them wrong. I'm hungry and this is what I really want. I will not give up for anything."

As stated before, it wasn't easy, especially since San Cartier had a rocky start to her NCAA career. She was injured late in the summer just before soccer training camp, suffering a debilitating high ankle sprain, one of the most feared injuries for any athlete, as recovery can take months.

She missed training camp and the first nine games of the soccer season while rehabilitating her ankle. It was day after day of toughing out the pain to get into playing shape, but San Cartier did it and was satisfied with her performance.
"It felt great to finally play and I was proud of what I was able to achieve," she said.

San Cartier didn't score a goal in her nine games, but her role is to help stop goals, not score them. The soccer coaching staff was impressed with her talents.

"The big thing that stands out about Natasia is her aggressiveness and ability to continually win one-on-one battles," soccer head coach Vernon Croft said. "Our biggest expectation for her is to stay healthy. (Next season), we expect her to be more comfortable in her role as a defender and becoming more consistent in building out of the back when we win possession."

San Cartier admits she didn't plan on taking on two sports when she arrived in Indiana State, but felt compelled to give track a shot.

"I felt something was missing," the Lo-Ellen Park graduate said. "I wanted to take a shot at track because I would feel guilty if I didn't even at least try to do it. The coaches were supportive and encouraging. So far, it's been good. It's an amazing feeling...to continue track. I'm grateful for the opportunity."

San Cartier started training with the track team in December 2007. The coaching staff has been surprised by her work ethic and willingness to learn.

"Natasia has worked hard and has excellent hurdling form," track head coach Gartland said. "She seems to improve each week. I have been very pleased with her attitude and her desire. By the end of the year, it's our goal for Natasia to be a conference placer."

Track, or more specifically, hurdling, is in San Cartier's blood.

In high school, San Cartier became a force in the local, regional and provincial scene for hurdling. Last year, San Cartier cleaned up at the city and NOSSA championships, winning the sprint and long hurdle events while setting new records at both levels.

San Cartier has a powerful will to run which isn't easily slowed down or stopped.

"Natasia is an impressive athlete," Lo-Ellen track coach Colin Ward said. "Last year, she fell at NOSSA in the long hurdle event, but got up and still won the race. It was awesome to see...it electrified the crowd watching. If she's not the best sprint hurdler to come out of this city, she's one of the best. She's fast and has always worked hard. Natasia worked non-stop on hurdling and trained year round...a dedicated athlete."

San Cartier left her unmistakable mark at Lo-Ellen at the end of the year awards banquet and will be a shining example for all future track athletes at the school.

"Natasia was our Senior Girl Athlete of the Year which says a lot because we also had Rebecca Johnston and Renee Jacques," Ward said. "Natasia was overshadowed a bit by Rebecca and Renee. She was also the track MVP too.

She was at every practice, at every race. She has the right attitude and kids look up to her."

Balancing a hectic schedule of academics and athletics is nothing new for San Cartier. She did it in high school and loves to be kept busy.

"I'm not trying to overachieve," the exercise science student said. "I've always done this, so it's in my nature. I'm out to improve my times now. I'm still shaking off some rust, but each meet I go to, I feel myself getting better. I want to excel in school and sports...it's all I can ask for."

Nonetheless, the sports program at Indiana State is intrigued to have San Cartier in the fold and how she will develop.
"Her potential is endless," Croft said.