Taco Bell Student-Athlete Spotlight

Statesboro, Ga. - For Georgia Southern tennis player Paola Garrido, her freshman season was filled with success and change. Attending a Division I university 4,000 miles from her hometown of Vigo, Spain, Garrido faced many challenges during her first season in Statesboro and head coach Amy Bonner has been impressed.

"I tell her all the time that I can't imagine being in her shoes, going to another country where she has to learn a new way of communicating and how to be successful in a university setting," said Bonner.

In the classroom, Garrido earned a 3.92 grade point average, including a 4.0 GPA in the spring. On the court, Garrido competed as Georgia Southern's number one singles and doubles player and earned a spot on the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

"It is exciting for me to be here, in the States and competing at the collegiate level," said Garrido. "Georgia Southern is a great school and I am thankful for this opportunity."

Garrido has one goal for the upcoming season: "I want to win a conference championship."

Paola's brother Alain also attends GSU and is a senior player on the men's tennis team.

Major: Business

Interests: Going to the cinema, hanging out with friends and sports.

Favorites:

Food: Salmon

Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Music: Jack Johnson and John Mayer

Athlete: Rafael Nadal

What do you appreciate most about your team? That we are more than teammates...we are friends.

What are your plans after college? I want to run my own business.

Category: Women's Tennis

Published on Thursday, 08 September 2011 12:25