Page 50 - fall2017

AVERY MICKENS ’17
Sport: Track and field
| Year: First-year grad student
| Major: Educational psychology

What do you enjoy most about track and field?
I like being able to travel and meet all kinds of people from
different cultures around the U.S. And long jump is really
fun; it feels like you are flying. Run and jump up in the air —
it’s one of the best feelings.
Other than track and field?
Cliff jumping. And I like to travel. Over the summer, I took
a 40-day trip through Europe. I visited my girlfriend from
Belgium. We traveled to the Netherlands, Germany, Venice
and Paris. Our road trip through Germany was great.
We drove on the race track in Nürburgring [motorsports
complex].
Why change from an engineering major to educational
psychology?
I did well in engineering, but I wanted to work with people. I
like learning about people living in certain social constructs.
If you can learn about a small sample of people, you can
help a larger group.
Your influences?
My dad was in the military. I was born in Guam, then moved
to Germany, then Florida and to Arizona. I learned a lot
about different cultures. This led me to want to work with
people. People have similar struggles all over.
How about your interest in working with children?
My dad worked at a youth home for troubled kids, and
everyone gave up on them. I’ve had opportunity in my life,
so I want to give opportunity back to kids who don’t have it
from their families or anyone around them.
Greatest lessons from your coaches?
No matter how out of reach something seems, if you
practice — if you put in the work — anything is achievable.
Why the University of Arizona?
I was recruited by the UA and by Cornell. It’s really cold
there. When I came to Arizona I loved the atmosphere and
the track team. We went to Seven Falls (where you can cliff
jump) and I fell in love with the team.

48 ARIZONA ALUMNI MAGAZINE