Student-Athlete Check In: Mathilde Delavallade – Penn State Women's Golf
As the events of early March unfolded and changed all over the country, Penn State student-athletes found themselves facing uncertainty and transition in their academic and athletic realities.
The Penn State women's golf team was three tournaments into the Spring season and just over a month away from the Big Ten Championship when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. As the entire Penn State family works for ways to stay connected, we can check in with some members of head coach Denise St. Pierre's team to get some insight into how typical student-athletes reacted, adjusted and began the process of forging ahead in our current circumstance.
Today we check in with freshman Mathilde Delavallade (Royan, France). Delavallade was in the middle of a strong freshman campaign leading the team with three top-10 finishes and a 73.29 stroke average over 21 rounds of competition.
Mathilde took the time to answer some questions from GoPSUsports and offers some good insight into the daily life of a Nittany Lion during this time:
GoPSU: What was your first reaction when you heard that the remainder of the season was cancelled, where were you and who were you with?
Delavallade: "I was just coming back from a tournament in Gainesville, Florida, with the team. At first, we just thought that only our next tournament in North Carolina will be cancelled but then, in the few hours that followed everything had been cancelled, one thing after the other. I have to admit, I kind of expected something like that with everything that was happening around us. It seemed strange to just keep going with our regular schedule while thousands of people were getting infected all around the world. But, it was still very brutal to learn in three hours that your entire season is done."
GoPSU: How have you been adapting to online learning?
Delavallade: "I think I have been adapting pretty well to online learning. My grades haven't been affected so I am happy about that. I feel like Penn State, even before online learning, already has an efficient online system especially through canvas, so for me, it didn't really change that much. Moreover, because I can't practice anymore because all the golf courses are closed, I try to take that as an opportunity to focus on my studies and finish the semester strong."
GoPSU: Athletes are by nature focused on staying healthy, what have you been doing to keep fit, active and energized?
Delavallade: "My dad, installed a screen in our backyard so I can keep playing golf and we can still work on my swing so that's a great thing. For nutrition, I am lucky because my mom is always cooking healthy. As for workout, I have to admit, that is one of the biggest issues I have to face. I always find it hard to workout on my own, it is less motivating than with the team. But I try to do cardio with some jogging or dance workout, and our athletic trainer Mel also gave us some programs to do at home."
GoPSU: What has your family been doing together during this extended period of social distancing? Any family activities, etc.?
Delavallade: "The quarantine is an opportunity for me and my family to spend more time together. As I mentioned before I am practicing golf with my dad. I also help my sister with her school work and almost every evening we are playing a board game with the entire family which is very funny because we are all so competitive."
GoPSU: What is the one thing you miss most right now about not being back at Penn State?
Delavallade: "I miss everything! I miss my team, of course, I used to see my teammates every day and now I am so far away from them, it is really weird. I also miss traveling with the team and playing tournaments. Sometimes I think about what I will be doing if I was in Penn State right now and it is kind of frustrating to not finish my freshman year."
GoPSU: How have you been keeping in contact with your teammates?
Delavallade: "I guess it's more difficult for me because of the time difference between France and Pennsylvania, I am usually shifted in my schedule compared to my teammates. We still talk a lot by group message and then we have a meeting by zoom once a week with the all team and the coaches, it's nice."
GoPSU: What was your favorite non-golf related memory from this past year at Penn State?
Delavallade: "I have a lot of amazing memories from this year, but I think the best one was dancing for THON with the team. It was something I never did before and being with all the other athletes is not something that happens a lot during the year, so it felt like something really special for me."
GoPSU: Why did you choose Penn State and what would you tell someone who is considering attending Penn State?
Delavallade: "I choose Penn state because it has everything I was looking for in a college. The Athletic Department is very strong and competitive, and the academic level is also one of the best, especially the business school which is what I am interested in. Being at Penn State is being part of a real community and even if I live thousands of miles away, I considered this university as a second home where I will be able to build my future. I would tell someone who is considering Penn State that whatever you want to do, everyone is here to help you."
GoPSU: Favorite club to hit in your bag and why? Best club in your bag and why?
Delavallade: "My favorite club in my bag is my wedge because there are so many different shots I can do with it and creativity is what I like the most about golf. I think my best club would be my putter because that is what makes the difference in your game."
GoPSU: What is your par-5 mindset, aggressive or safe and why?
Delavallade: "I tend to be more aggressive on the par 5's. I can hit the ball pretty far and it is a big advantage when it comes to play the par-5's, so when it makes sense and there is not a large amount of risk I go for it."
GoPSU: Most improved part of your game since arriving at Penn State and what are you looking on improving for next season?
Delavallade: "I didn't actually improve any part of my game this year, I think what changed the most is my strategy on the courses. I improved my capacity to take the best advantage of my rounds and I am more confident in general. My Iron game is definitely what I want to be better at next year."
GoPSU: What was it about golf that interested you and when did you begin playing?
Delavallade: "Thanks to my dad, I was able to start golf very young at the age of 5. What I like about golf is competition and also the fact that no round is similar to the other and you always have something to learn."
