Anna Peyton Malizia is a senior high jumper for the Penn Track & Field team. The
2019 Ivy League Heptagonal Outdoor Track & Field Championships take place Saturday-Sunday, May 4-5, at Princeton’s Weaver Track.
IvyLeague.com: The Ivy League offers a balance of athletic, academic and social opportunity. How do you use that balance to make the most of your experience?
Anna: Being a student-athlete at an Ivy League university has its challenges, but its rewards are far greater. Penn and Penn Athletics work tirelessly together to provide us with every opportunity to make our experiences the best possible. Between coaches, academic resources, teammates, and friends, I have been able to structure my days so that they are productive without being stressful or overbearing. This community has challenged me to reach my fullest potential while still having fun. As my coach tells me, the #1 rule at practice, in the classroom, competing, or with friends, is to always have fun.
IvyLeague.com: At its core, the League is much more than a sports conference. How have you seen that during your time as a student-athlete?
Anna: The Ivy League conference, although a sports conference in nature, fosters relationships that well exceed the competitive arena. I have seen this first-hand during interviews, internships, and social gatherings outside of the Ivy League campuses. Having the experience as an Ivy League student-athlete has immediately connected me with many individuals that were previously or are currently Ivy League student-athletes. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that there is this large community of individuals interested and supportive of your career as both an athlete and a student.
IvyLeague.com: A common afterthought of the League is how much athletic success it enjoys each year. How competitive is your program and sport, not only in the League, but also nationally?
Anna: The Penn Women’s Track and Field team has seen a tremendous turnaround since I was first recruited in 2014. With the energizing momentum that this upturn has brought and the leadership of our fantastic coaches, we have celebrated much success. In the 2018 seasons, our team clinched both Ivy League titles at the indoor and outdoor Heptagonal Championships and took the most women to both the NCAA Regional and National Championships in school history. This year we won the indoor Ivy Heps. We are lucky to attend some of the most competitive meets in the country and seeing our red and blue striped jerseys right up there with some of the best athletes and teams in the country is rewarding. We are excited to get back on the track and compete for the outdoor title!
IvyLeague.com: Ivy League student-athletes are known for proactively seeking new opportunity and challenges. What is on the horizon for you either in your sport, in the classroom or on campus?
Anna: Penn offers a number of challenging and exciting opportunities that I have been fortunate to engage in both on the track and in the classroom. I am currently in my senior year and will be graduating in May and beginning a job in Investment Banking. With only a few weeks left, I am looking forward to working with my team to chase and defend the Ivy League outdoor title and individually finish the season at the National Championship.