FACES OF MAC

Brielle Fernando

Even the toughest competitors meet their matches. When you’re MAC member and racquetball champion Brielle Fernando, growth means only seeing setbacks as the impetus to train harder. Fernando recently attempted to make the Racquetball Junior National Team, and while it wasn’t in the cards this year, she continued to push herself even after she found out she didn’t make it to the final round. “I was aware that the National Team was a competitive team. I also knew I was going to give it my all. I spent time training on and off the court in ways I had never trained before. I learned new drills and techniques to help me build my game. I also built my conditioning and speed work on the court,” she says of what was gained in the effort. “I am still training and working on my weaknesses to become a better player, and I will apply for the team again in 2021.”

After only three years at the club and two years on the court, Fernando has already claimed two national titles, one each in Girls Singles Division 3 and Doubles Division 2. She also won state titles in Division 3 before applying for the Junior National Team. The Beaverton High School junior loves the sciences, plays keeper for the varsity soccer team, and enjoys hanging with friends — human and canine — and listening to music. Despite these disparate inspirations, she says racquetball has made a huge impact on her life. “I have no idea where I would be without it. I have learned to calm myself down and keep my head in the game, as well as not letting my emotions get the best of me. It also showed a community that believed in me. Hank Marcus has given me a tremendous amount of support through this confusing time.” Fernando also credits coaches Liz Yee and Dave Azuma, her friend and competitive partner Elizabeth Nangle and her mom, Kristine Fernando, who “woke up at 6 a.m. to get me to my matches on time and in one piece.”

At the end of every season, USA Climbing recognizes athletes ages 11-19 who have taken part in the Youth National Championships every year for at least nine years. This year, MAC mountaineer Victoria Siegel received the honors after competing for the club for more than a decade. “To compete at the highest level for so many years is a very impressive accomplishment and deserves to be celebrated,” said John Muse, VP of Sport for USA Climbing. “We are very proud of these amazing athletes who have been involved with USA Climbing from a young age.” “Victoria has been a trailblazer for our program, setting the standard for MAC competition climbing over roughly 11 years, and she has performed at the highest level every year,” says Head Climbing Coach Drew White. “She started out climbing on our very first wall and has seen us make dramatic expansions to the space and our level of competition.” Siegel begins her sophomore year at Emory University this fall.

Victoria Siegel