Senior Christina Vannasing Reflects on a Memorable Four Years
- Dec 12, 2019
- 3 min read
As someone who has been involved in many activities amongst her years at Northern, Christina Vannasing has made her mark on multiple students, coaches, and athletic programs. Participating in both swimming and tennis throughout all four of her years in high school, Vannasing has become captain of both the tennis and swim team, making it a great experience that she will remember forever.
Vannasing grew up doing both tennis and swim just for fun during her time in Charlotte, North Carolina. Moving to Durham and attending Northern was an easy adjustment for her as she felt right at home.
“I grew up both swimming and playing tennis, but it was never anything serious for me at the time,” senior Christina Vannasing said. “Freshmen year was when I began to play and swim competitively [and] what I love most is how it feels to just get my body moving.”
Vannasing is not only a team player, but is a role model for many of the other athletes on the tennis and swim team as well.
“Christina is very organized and very determined to see all of us do our best,” junior Katie Combs said. “Not only does she push all of us to do our best, [but also is there to] help us no matter what.”
As a senior who has been playing tennis and swimming for years, Christina has made a huge impact on everyone in the athletic environment at Northern.
“Christina has been a valuable asset to NHS [over the course of the years as] she has worked hard over her time on the team to develop both her own skills as an athlete and her leadership skills,” swim coach Hannah Hribar said. “[She] has been crucial in promoting a positive and nurturing culture [to be] supportive of underclassmen, and is constantly challenging herself to do better and set an example [for] her teammates.”
Vannasing has made a large impact on each of her teams, just as much as they have made a big impact on her life as well.
“These sports have affected me as a student athlete by testing my time management and capability of responsibility, especially by being a senior captain of both teams this year,” Vannasing said. “Between AP, honors, and Durham Tech classes, [I have] had to prioritize a lot between school and sports but I manage it in a way where I can get the best of both worlds [by] succeeding in athletics and academics.”
Christina has bonded with many in practice and they have led to great friendships outside of practice as well.
“[There is always] a feeling of joy when [Christina] is around [which] makes everyone feel good,” senior Andrew Coburn said. “[She is] really encouraging and nice to everyone.”
Not only is Vannasing a good asset for her older peers but she is also an even better leader to the underclassmen on each of the teams.
“[Christina] is extremely positive, a great leader, [and] always super supportive,” freshman Thais Marsalis said. “She is always there for you when you need help with something and makes you feel super comfortable on the team.”
Vannasing’s impact on her teammates and coaches has developed into something very positive over the course of her four years at Northern. Overall, she has become a better athlete and is ready for the next chapter of her life.
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