...I wanted a small school where I could find a strong sense of community, receive personalized attention and mentorship from professors, and feel empowered to make a meaningful impact on campus...
Name: Anna Haines
Class year: 2026
Majors: Accounting, communication
Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose Ohio Wesleyan because I felt that it would offer a well-rounded experience. I wanted a small school where I could find a strong sense of community, receive personalized attention and mentorship from professors, and feel empowered to make a meaningful impact on campus. OWU provided the perfect balance of all these elements.
Why did you choose your majors?
I chose accounting because I have always liked math, and jobs in accounting are highly sought-after and needed in the business world. I chose communication to complement accounting by giving me the necessary verbal and written communication skills to clearly communicate with employers and clients. The two majors have really complemented each other and I am glad that I was encouraged to pursue both of them.
Why did you choose to compete in sports at Ohio Wesleyan?
I chose to be on the swim team because I knew that being part of a team would give me an immediate community of like-minded individuals. After a conversation with Coach (Richard) Hawes, I was sold. I have never been part of a more supportive team with amazing coaches and teammates who are true friends. Additionally, swimming is a great way of staying active, and it gives me the chance to focus on something other than my school work and other responsibilities for a few hours out of the day.
What is your number one goal, personal or team, for this season?
This season, my top priority is to fine-tune my freestyle technique so that I can race instinctively without overthinking. On a personal and team level, I hope we can keep up the hard work and maintain our strong camaraderie so that we can perform our best in meets.
What did you study on your OWU Connection trips? Which experience(s) of your trips were the most memorable, and how did they affect you?
The OWU Connection has allowed me to travel to New York twice; Washington D.C.; Williamsburg, Va.; and Knoxville, Tenn. On a New York trip and the D.C. trip I traveled with Woltemade Center programs around major U.S. cities, exploring the business world and meeting with OWU alumni and business professionals. The other three trips were for Model UN conferences. I am the President of OWU's Model UN club and enjoy debating issues with students from other universities and am so thankful OWU has allowed us to do so!
What is your favorite place that you have traveled to as an OWU student-athlete?
Each January, we travel to Stuart, Florida, for our training trip. While the practices are challenging, the chance to spend a week with the team, swim outdoors, and enjoy the ocean makes it worth it. We're almost always in the water -- between our two daily practices we swim in the ocean or in even the hotel pool!
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a student-athlete?
My advice for anyone considering becoming a student-athlete is to fully commit to the experience. Playing a sport in college can be incredibly rewarding, offering a chance to grow both personally and athletically, while building lifelong friendships. That said, it does come with challenges -- balancing practices, classes, and other extracurricular activities can become overbearing at times. However, the hard work and dedication are worth it, as they teach valuable life skills like time management, resilience, and teamwork. If you're passionate about your sport and willing to put in the effort, the experience will be fulfilling and unforgettable.
What is your favorite season and why?
My favorite season is fall. I love when the heat finally starts to die off and I'm able to wear comfy clothes without a big winter coat. I also love all the fall festivities: corn mazes, pumpkins, Halloween, everything!
by Michaela Alfano '25
