Friday, March 5, 2021

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Name: Gunner Vallatini
Sport: Track and Field
Institution: Central Washington University
Year: Junior
Major: Clinical Physiology and Psychology
Hometown: Lihue, Hawaii

Why Did You Choose To Attend Central Washington?: I am able to have small class sizes, awesome teachers and an affordable education while competing in track and field at the college level.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class was Physical and Orthopedic Assessment. This class felt like an introductory course for physical therapy school. I learned about common knee and hip pathologies and how to evaluate lower extremity injuries.

Years Involved In SAAC: Two years.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I joined SAAC to get more involved with sports at the administrative level and to provide suggestions for activities.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity To Date: Trunk or Treat.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: I have learned how to work with a team and give back to the community.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: It means having an incredible work ethic and a relentless drive for improvement.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: Learning how to manage my time effectively and focus as much as I can on the current tasks at hand.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: Staying motivated for competition during the COVID-19 pandemic. We don’t know if we will have a season but we still have to train intensely.  

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: The level of competition.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: My teammates and coaches having my back after I failed to reach my goals during an outdoor conference meet.

If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: Student-athletes should get more per diem money.

Current Mentor(s): Marcus Jaffe, Brittany Aanstad and Jill Kalinowski.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Have fun but do it responsibly. Network as much as possible. Make the most of your opportunities and don't be afraid to challenge yourself.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: I would spend the day with Kobe Bryant to absorb as much knowledge as possible. I would use what I learn to better myself and the people around me.

Extracurricular Activities: Gardening, reading and watching anime.

Future Goals After Graduation: Become a physical therapist

Favorite Sports Teams: Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Celtics.  

Favorite Athletes: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Ray Lewis, Alvin Kamara, Tom Brady and Kyrie Irving.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You Is: I enjoy reading during my free time and I love my family with all of my heart.