Loyola Athletics Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight: Sela Myers

NEW ORLEANS – Loyola University New Orleans cross country and track and field student-athlete Sela Myers is the subject of this month's Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight, a series highlighting Wolf Pack student-athletes who embody Jesuit values through leadership, service and a commitment to excellence.
 

A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Myers was drawn to Loyola by the University's commitment to inclusivity, excellence and new experiences. The opportunity to continue competing in cross country and track and field while receiving an athletic scholarship ultimately made Loyola the right fit.
 

Beyond athletics, Myers has embraced the opportunity to explore New Orleans and experience all that the city and Loyola community have to offer.
 

Myers is currently pursuing a degree in biology with a pre-health concentration. Although she is still exploring her options for life after college, she is considering teaching, physician assistant school or physical therapy school.
 

Regardless of which path she ultimately chooses, Myers is committed to making the most of her time at Loyola, both academically and athletically.
 

For Myers, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a Wolf Pack student-athlete is the opportunity to pursue a sport she loves alongside teammates who continually encourage her to grow.
 

"I love being a Loyola student-athlete because I get to spend every morning and lots of evenings running with my teammates and then competing in a sport that I love," Myers said. "It is such a privilege to be a student-athlete. I love pushing myself and working hard for a sport that is so tiring but also rewarding."
 

While the physical challenges of distance running demand discipline and perseverance, Myers believes the relationships she has built through Loyola Athletics have been just as important to her experience.
 

"Most of all, though, I am so grateful for the teammates and people I have met at Loyola Athletics that push me in running and just in enjoying life and really make this experience at Loyola great," Myers said.
 

That appreciation for her teammates also plays a significant role in Myers' approach to leadership. Recognized by her nominator for her natural leadership and positive attitude, Myers credits the people around her for helping her maintain that outlook.
 

"My positivity comes from my amazing, talented and funny teammates that never fail to make me laugh and be excited to be at practice," Myers said. "It also comes from my love of running and, of course, enjoying the challenge of running."
 

For Myers, leadership is not necessarily about holding a particular title. Instead, she believes it comes from consistently showing up, working hard and encouraging those around her.
 

"Leading, I think, comes from showing up every day to do your best even when it's hard to and just being excited about the people around me and the sport I love," Myers said. "I love working hard, pushing myself, getting to know my teammates, and just having fun through hard activities."
 

Myers carries that same mindset into her academic and extracurricular pursuits. In addition to her responsibilities as a student-athlete, she volunteers with the Student Peace Initiative, which promotes dialogue and engagement around social justice and peace through initiatives such as the annual Peace Conference.
 

One of Myers' most memorable experiences with the organization came during a day of the Peace Conference held at Rayburn Correctional Center. There, she attended panels featuring students participating in Loyola's educational program at the facility and had the opportunity to speak with them afterward.
 

Through those conversations, Myers learned about the students' experiences pursuing an education while incarcerated, the limited academic opportunities available to them, and the value they placed on being part of the Loyola program. The students shared how meaningful the opportunity to continue their education was to them, giving Myers a new perspective on her own educational experience.
 

Beyond the formal discussions, Myers also valued the opportunity to connect with the students through their stories, perspectives and shared laughter. The experience was a reminder of the importance of listening to others and learning from experiences different from her own.
 

"It really made me think about how privileged I am to be able to go to school every day and to go to Loyola and study multiple subjects," Myers said. "Overall, it just made me grateful for the opportunities that I am given and made me think about how important it is that I give lots of effort into school and life because many others would love to be in the same position I am in."
 

The experience reinforced Myers' appreciation for the educational opportunities she has at Loyola and her desire to approach those opportunities with purpose rather than take them for granted.
 

For Myers, the Jesuit values of pursuing excellence and living a life with and for others are reflected in the everyday choices she makes, from attending class and practice to fulfilling her responsibilities at work and supporting the people around her.
 

"I apply these values in my life by showing up to practice, class, and work and giving 100 percent of the energy that I have for that day," Myers said. "When you put all your energy and effort in your activities, learning and, of course, enjoying and supporting the people in your life every day, you are pursuing excellence and living with and for others, so I try my best to do that as much as I can."
 

Whether she is pushing herself through a challenging workout, supporting her teammates or contributing to conversations about peace and social justice, Myers strives to approach each opportunity with enthusiasm and purpose.
 

Through her positive attitude, dedication to her team and commitment to making the most of each day, Myers continues to embody the spirit of Loyola Athletics and the mission of the Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight.
 

"Sela is an incredibly hard worker and has her priorities in the right order," Loyola cross country and track and field head coach Geoff Masanet said. "She is selfless, is a leader and a consummate teammate and embodies the true spirit of the Loyola student-athlete.
 

The Pursuit of Excellence Spotlight recognizes Loyola student-athletes who strive to live out Jesuit values by using their talents to serve, inspire, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
 

Please submit your nominees with specific examples of how your nominee exemplifies these characteristics: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLSU9L3RIq7rytJzmj9_XQZa8knsut8u96cb_jZ_vpMgppFw/viewform?usp=header
 

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