UW Athletics Media Relations recently caught up with Clara Tapia for a web feature, "Inside Wyoming women's basketball". Throughout the month of October, the series will feature the women's basketball team's three newcomers.
Q: What are you looking forward to most
about playing for the University of Wyoming?
A:
Basically I am looking forward to improving my skills in order to become
a better basketball player and, of course, I am looking forward to live great team
experiences that only sport can give, such as the emotion after getting an
important victory.
Q: Who has been your biggest motivator and
supporter in your basketball career?
A: I would say that my first coaches,
Marta Santiago and Javi Torralba always believed so much in my possibilities in
a basketball court. I wouldn't be here now if they hadn't been in my life. I
guess that someone that trusts you is always a good motivator. Apart from that,
my family is also a big motivator for me because they have always encouraged me
to live this kind of experiences and believe that I can do anything.
Q: What is your favorite part about being
from Spain and what do you miss the most?
A: An important part to being from
Spain is the food. I really like Spanish food and I miss it. I also appreciate
so much my city, Barcelona, which has beautiful places that I love and that I
like simply to walk around. But, what I miss the most is the people, my family
and my friends. Although I am sure I can build great friendships here but it is
impossible not to miss the people with whom I used to spend my days. I really
miss my room too!
Q: Besides basketball, what other sports
did you grow up playing?
A: I really like playing soccer and I used
to spend time playing with my brothers.
Quick Hits:
How old were you when you started playing
basketball: 6 years old
Favorite basketball player: Ricky Rubio
Hobby besides basketball: Playing piano
and guitar
Q: How important has it been to have Marta,
also from Spain, help you in your first year?
A: So far she has been really helpful.
Before coming here, she explained me what was all this about, what I would find
once here and how is people, food, school and basketball here. Her positive
attitude and view of being part of the Wyoming team was so important for me to
decide to come. Once here she is still being a big help for me because I know
that I always can ask her whatever I need to know that she will help me. She
knows what I am going through because she has already lived it. So, I can't ask
for a better situation and for a better teammate!
