WIAC Culver's Student-Athlete Spotlight: Daniel Nesja

Each week during the 2020-21 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Daniel Nesja
Institution:  UW-Stout
Hometown (High School):  Mount Horeb, Wis. (Mount Horeb High School)
Year in school:  Junior
Sports:  Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
Majors:  Graphic Design & Interactive Media


Why did you choose UW-Stout?
I chose UW-Stout because of the very successful graphic design program they have. The great opportunities that the program has given other people made a huge impact on why I chose this University. It also gave me a chance to keep competing in track and field.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
Freelance graphic design

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
Being a track athlete in the WIAC is an awesome experience. The competition is amazing and always pushes me to train hard and do my best. The conference has such a great community of athletes and it has led me to meet many great and inspiring people.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver's?  Double Cheeseburger
Flavor of the Day from Culver's?  Chocolate Oreo Volcano
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Memorial Student Center
Movie?  Caddyshack
TV Show?  Malcolm in the Middle
Social Media Platform?  Instagram
Food?  Eggs & Bacon
Musical Group/Artist?  Green Day
Professional Sports Athlete?  Will Claye
Hobby?  Designing shirts
Quote/motto?
Working hard or hardly working?
 
What is one word that describes yourself?
Committed.
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Not giving up when I got injured and coming back and jumping more than a foot over my previous personal record.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Athletic ability and getting good results come with time, so don't give up early. The process takes time.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Socializing, ultimate frisbee, going to the Bottoms sandbar.
 
If you could trade places for a day with a person, who would it be and why?
Will Claye, he's an incredibly strong and explosive athlete with lots of knowledge on long/triple jump.
 
What is your dream job? 
Working in advertising as a graphic designer.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Tour Europe.
---Start my own brand.
---Go to Applebee's.
 
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
I always eat eggs the morning of competition.
 
What is your biggest "pet-peeve"?
When watching a movie and someone walks in halfway through and starts asking questions about the plot.