In celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day on February 4, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute highlights seven female student-athletes. Representing a variety of sports, these athletes share their experiences as women in sport, reflect on the role of sports science in their development, and offer advice to the next generation.
Sade Gray – Track and Field
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
To me, being a woman in sports means being strong, resilient, and unstoppable. It gives women the opportunity to chase goals at a high level, earn respect through work ethic, and open doors for younger girls watching. I want them to be able to think, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.”
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
The most impactful aspect for me has been recovery and nutrition. You can train hard every day, but recovery can truly make or break performance. Getting the right nutrients to heal injuries and build power and strength has helped me put my best foot forward consistently.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
Believe in yourself before anyone else does. People will try to tell you who you are or limit your future, but it’s your life and your passion. Don’t give up on yourself—work hard, stay focused, and go where you are appreciated.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
One of my favorite classes has been Women’s Global Perspectives. Learning about the challenges women face around the world—especially those who don’t even have the freedom of choice—has inspired me to fully embrace the woman I’m becoming. It motivates me to pursue my dreams boldly and never let anyone take my voice.
Bianca Martinez – Volleyball and Track
Major: Sociology
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
For me, being a woman in sports is all about representation and feeling confident in myself. Being able to be a role model for younger female athletes and someone they can look up to and see someone living out a reality that they are dreaming about. It also means a place where I have found my confidence, and somewhere I have strived to be the best I could be, and always working towards a goal, but while still knowing who I am and my reasons for playing.
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
Definitely has been recovery, and what specific things my body needs to be able to fully recover for another whole day of practice. I feel like being at Clemson, specifically the access we have to recovery, is absolutely amazing, and we are truly blessed here. I have learned so much about what exactly works best for me to feel my best, especially on game and competition days.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
My advice for aspiring women in sports is to always give yourself grace and be kind to yourself. There will be really good days and hard days, and both are part of the journey. It’s so important not to beat yourself up on the days when things don’t go as planned. Positive self-talk matters more than you realize, because the way you speak to yourself can either build your confidence or tear it down. Learning to encourage yourself the same way you would a teammate can make all the difference.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
My favorite class I’ve taken at Clemson so far is my Civil Rights History course, which I am currently enrolled in. As a Global Black Studies student, I understand how important Black history is and how critical it is that it continues to be taught accurately and intentionally. This class has helped me deepen that understanding by connecting historical movements to ongoing struggles for justice today. Professor D’Ondre Juwan Swails is also one of my favorite professors and makes the material engaging and meaningful, which makes the class genuinely exciting to be a part of.
Madison Roush – Cross Country and Track
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Greer, South Carolina
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
Being a woman in sports means having a big community of strong and inspirational women to look up to. We are all there to support one another and celebrate our accomplishments.
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
I’ve found that the recovery aspect of running is the most interesting to me because it’s where I’ve seen the greatest success in the sport. Learning about the different ways to help muscles recover from training is fascinating, and the way my body feels after adequate recovery is night and day compared to running while not fully recovered.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
My biggest piece of advice is to say yes to opportunities that come your way and not be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself. More often than not, people miss out on opportunities simply because they don’t put themselves out there or use their voice. By saying yes and asking to be involved in organizations that support women, I’ve been able to meet so many amazing and inspiring women from around the world.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
My favorite class I’ve taken at Clemson is Sports Engineering. In this course, I learned so much about the body and how it functions during training and recovery, which helped me better understand my own body and improve as a runner. It’s especially rewarding to learn material that you can directly apply to yourself, and that genuinely interests you. Dr. Harvey is also a great professor who teaches the class in an engaging way that keeps it interesting.
Tatum Short – Women’s Soccer
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
Being a woman in sports means showing up with strength, discipline, and confidence in spaces that haven’t always made room for us. It’s about resilience and showing younger girls that this path is possible and worth it.
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
Nutrition has been the most impactful area of sports science for me because it has a direct impact on my energy, recovery, and performance on the field. Learning how to correctly fuel my body allows me to train harder, recover faster, and maintain consistency throughout the season.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
Believe in your abilities and don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong. Work
hard, stay confident, and support other women along the way.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
Women and Psychology has been the most interesting class I’ve taken at Clemson
because it has taught me so much about the challenges women face around the world. It’s
given me a deeper understanding of different experiences and perspectives, and how
those shape women’s lives and choices.
Trinity Webb – Gymnastics
Major: Communication
Hometown: Smithville, Missouri
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
Being a female athlete means a great deal to me because it represents strength, resilience, and the ability to take up space with confidence. It means embracing the pressure that comes with higher expectations and learning how to carry myself with purpose both in competition and in everyday life. As a woman in sports, I am often aware that performance is only part of how I am judged, which has pushed me to develop a strong sense of self and confidence in my identity. At the same time, being a female athlete is empowering; it gives me a voice, a platform, and the opportunity to represent younger girls who are watching and learning what is possible. For me, it means proving that women can be powerful, disciplined, and competitive while staying true to who they are and using sport to grow not only as athletes but as people.
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
One aspect of sports science that has been most impactful in my athletic experience is nutrition, especially for female athletes. Proper fueling plays a major role in performance recovery and overall health it is often underestimated. I have learned that nutrition directly affects energy levels, injury prevention, and consistency in training. When athletes feel their bodies correctly, they are better able to recover and perform at a higher level over time. For women in sports, Understanding Nutrition has helped me view food as a tool for strength and performance rather than limitation, making it one of the most important aspects of sports science in my experience.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
My advice for aspiring women in sports is to trust yourself, especially during times when you may be underestimated or overlooked. There will be moments when others doubt your abilities or fail to see your potential, and learning not to let that define you is important. Confidence has to come from within, not from external validation, and that is something I am still learning myself. Growth in sports is not always linear, but believing in your worth and staying committed to your goals can make all the difference. continue to show up, work hard, and advocate for yourself, because your presence and voice matter just as much as your performance.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
My favorite class I’ve taken at Clemson has been criminal law because I enjoy learning about how the legal system works and understanding the reasoning behind laws and Court decisions. I find it interesting to see how real-life cases are analyzed and how the justice system impacts people and society, especially when it comes to justice being taken.
Shanque Williams – Track and Field
Major: Psychology
Hometown: St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
Being a woman in sports means embracing both strength and vulnerability while constantly pushing myself to be better. It means overcoming challenges, proving my abilities, and staying confident in spaces where women are sometimes underestimated. As a female athlete, I take pride in representing where I come from and showing that women can be powerful, disciplined, and resilient. Competing as a woman in sports has taught me self-belief, perseverance, and the importance of using my voice and presence to inspire others.
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
The most impactful aspect of sports science in my athletic experience has been recovery
and injury prevention. Learning how proper recovery, rest, and monitoring fatigue affect
performance has helped me understand that recovery is just as important as training.
Paying attention to things like muscle soreness, sleep, and overall readiness has allowed
me to take better care of my body, stay healthier throughout the season, and perform at a higher level during competition.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
My advice for aspiring women in sports is to stay persistent and never let stereotypes
define your limits. There will be moments when people doubt your abilities or
underestimate you, but those moments should fuel your motivation rather than discourage you. Stay committed to your goals, trust your work, and continue showing up even when it’s difficult. By staying consistent and believing in yourself, you not only prove others wrong, but you also create space for more women to be confident and successful in sports.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
My favorite and most interesting class at Clemson has been PSYC 2030: Fundamentals
of Psychology. This class helped me better understand human behavior, mental processes, and how the mind influences performance. As both a psychology major and a student-athlete, the course has been especially meaningful because it connects directly to motivation, focus, and mental resilience in sports.
Oneka Wilson – Track and Field
Major: Parks, Tourism and Recreation Management
Hometown: Portland, Jamaica
What does it mean to be a woman in sports?
Being a woman in sports means pursuing passion and excellence while often overcoming inequality and stereotypes. It’s about empowerment, resilience, and claiming space in a traditionally male-dominated field.
What aspect of sports science have you found most interesting or impactful in your athletic experience?
As a track athlete, nutrition has been the most impactful. Eating properly helps fuel training, improve recovery, and maintain consistent performance.
What is your advice for aspiring women in sports?
Believe in your ability, advocate for yourself, and don’t be afraid to take up space. Stay disciplined, build a strong support system, and remember that your presence in sports matters.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class taken at Clemson?
My favorite class at Clemson has been my PRTM EDGE class because I met a lot of new people and made friendships that are still strong today.
