The "Cobra Spotlight" is a weekly highlight of a student-athlete at Coker College. Each week we take a different athlete from a different sport and display some facets to get more familiar with them. This week we take a look at Jenna Pacyna and Ariana Tashjian, members of the women's soccer team.
Name: Jenna Pacyna
Sport: Women’s Soccer
Position: Center back/ Center mid
Hometown: North Port, Fla.
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise science
Why did you choose Coker? To play soccer
Best memory (athletic related): Scoring my first goal against Brevard
Best memory (non-athletic): Meeting some of my best friends
What other team I would play for: Softball…. But I can’t hit a ball to save my life
Favorite class: Any class with Dr. Parker
Favorite professor: Dr. Parker
Plans after graduation: Hopefully go to PT school
Favorite movie: She’s the man (soccer classic)
Favorite type of music: Anything besides COUNTRY… it makes my ears bleed
Favorite food: Sushi, but I’m also a Dunkin Donuts addict
Favorite sports teams: Depends on the sport (Tampa Bay Lightning, USWNT, Miami Dolphins)
Favorite color: Red
Favorite TV show: Greys Anatomy
Most prized possession: My iPod because I don’t know what id without music
Something people don’t know about me: I have a tattoo on my bicep for my brother that has peritoneal kidney disease
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it?: Abby
One word that describes you: Passionate
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Name: Ariana Tashjian
Sport: Women's soccer
Position: forward or mid field
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology with a pre-med concentration and a minor in chemistry
Why did you choose Coker? On my first recruiting visit everyone made me feel so welcomed. It felt like home instantly, and I've always had the dream of going to a school in the south! Coker offered me the chance to play soccer, which was a big deal since I've had 6 knee surgeries, and do well in all my classes to help me become a surgeon.
What is your best memory at Coker (athletic related)? This season so far has been great, despite a loss or two, but I'd have to say getting our new coaches. They have created such a positive atmosphere, and helped me remember why I love playing so much.
What is your best memory at Coker (non-athletic related)? Meeting my best friend Jesse, who I call mom, at Coker connection. She's taken care of me countless times. I've never really had any bad memories here though!
Which athletic team would you play on at Coker other than your own? Volleyball . I used to play, and the girls on the team are awesome.
Favorite class: Organic Chemistry
Favorite professor: Dr. Kenyon
Plans after graduation: Going to medical school at University of Cincinnati- hopefully become an orthopedic surgeon
Favorite movie: I'm not a huge movie person, but I loved Blindside and any movie with Sandra Bullock.
Favorite type of music: Country, it's the perfect summertime music.
Favorite food: Pasta!
Favorite sports team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite color: Red
Favorite TV show: Greys Anatomy or Orange is the New Black.
Most prized possession: A necklace my grandma gave me before she passed away.
What is something people may not know about you? I am a twin; most people think Alina is my cousin or something...which is totally understandable because we are nothing alike.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it? Well since I came to Coker people have started called me Ari because my name is too long to say on the field... but my dad’s nickname for me since I was little was noodle- not sure why- maybe because we're an Italian family?
One word that describes you: Headstrong