Linfield University Athletics

FRESHMAN
Did not see action at the varsity level as a freshman.
 
CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year letterwinner in softball.
Three-year letterwinner in basketball.
National Honors Society member.
 
PERSONAL
Majoring in nursing.
Daughter of Dyan and David Loza.
 
WHAT ARE THE REASONS YOU CHOSE TO ATTEND LINFIELD? I chose Linfield for the nursing program and because it’s close to home without being too close. One thing that caught my attention was how close the softball program was. My high school coach played softball at Linfield and had nothing but amazing things to say about the program and how much of a community it was. It’s great to be experiencing that right now.
 
WHAT DOES BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT LINFIELD MEAN TO YOU? Being a student-athlete means that I am always striving to be the best. I am excelling at everything that I do. I have a lot more on my plate, so being able to manage everything and succeed in the classroom is what it comes down to. Athletics mean a lot here at Linfield, but school always gets put first. Whether I have a five-page paper or need to study for a test, doing these tasks first show the true meaning of being a student-athlete.
 
WHAT’S THE BEST LINFIELD CLASS YOU’VE TAKEN AND WHY? The best class I have taken here at Linfield has been Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries. I thought this was the best class I have taken because it really correlates to the real world and the things that my peers and I are having to go through now while being athletes. I think that it was really an eye-opener into how things should really look and the best way to be treated along with when to be treated.
 
WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INSPIRATION IN YOUR LIFE?  I think that my younger sister is my inspiration. Over the course of our lives, she has looked up to me and done everything that I have done and more and I think that really sets me up as a person and keeps me motivated. She is a three-sport athlete and a dang good one. She works hard in and out of school to try and be the best she can be and on top of that has a great social life outside of these things. She strives for perfection and sometimes a little too much but overall expects nothing less from herself.
 
HOW HAS PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS MADE YOU A BETTER PERSON? Participating in sports has taught me more about tough and realistic life lessons than anything else I have participated in. Sports have taught me time management, teamwork and basic communication skills. Sports have truly made me the person I am. Without them, I’m not sure I would have the same work ethic.
 
THE GREATEST PRINCIPLE OR LESSON THAT I’VE LEARNED WHILE COMPETING IN ATHLETICS AT LINFIELD HAS BEEN... I think the biggest lesson I have learned through athletics here at Linfield is to not take anything for granted and treat everything like it could be your last. I think that this is very important especially since we are now in college and all of our lives are going at 100mph. We all have a lot of things on our plate all while continuing to show up for our teammates as well as working hard in the classroom. I also think it is important to create memories and relationships with your team as they will be some of your best friends after college.
 
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? In 10 years, I see myself working as an RN-BSN working in a hospital, fulfilling my dream of being a nurse. I see myself being able to support my family while also having money and time to travel and have fun with my husband and kids.