Coming Attraction: Liliana Rios
September 10, 2015 | Soccer
Science and Soccer: It's A Balance
By Ashleigh Shay
Wake up, 6 am workout, school all day, afternoon practice, meeting with coaches, homework, go to sleep, repeat.
To some a daily schedule such as this could be seen as daunting or even overwhelming. And that's without multiple games or even exams thrown into the mix.
A day like this is just a snapshot into the life of University of Georgia senior midfielder Liliana Rios, the 2015 recipient of the Joel Eaves Scholar Athlete award.
The Joel Eaves Scholar Athlete award is given to a senior male and female student-athlete at the start of their senior fall semester. Receiving this honor means that they have the highest GPA out of all of the senior student-athletes.
This is no easy feat to accomplish and even with a very demanding major, biology, Rios was able to do so.
"I didn't really know it was an award at first, it was kind of a surprise. You know you work hard in school, but you never know that your grades were that good honestly," said Rios.
Being a student-athlete at a Division I school for four years is not something that everyone can say they have done. Neither is saying they had one of the highest GPA's of all the senior student-athletes. Most would probably ask, "How did she do it?"
Rios did it by staying on top of things.
"It really was all about balance and planning. If you saw my calendar everything is planned out. I have something to do almost every day school-wise so I'm not cramming at the very end. I can't study every day all day. I need some time, because I also have practice and meetings, just to do nothing."
She said the hardest part was getting everything done when she was tired. Sometimes it's easier to put off something for a day or two, but Rios knew that if she didn't get it done, it would not get done.
Her hard work and success in the classroom is not the only place her character shines.
"She is a first class person," said women's soccer head coach Billy Lesesne,
"She doesn't like the spotlight, she's shy, and she goes about her business. Academically, she's one of the best you'll ever find. She's so highly respected within the team. I think the world of 'Lil', I think she's going to have a really bright future."
She's the perfect example for new players to show that it really all can be done.
"We had recruits in today and we were talking about it when they were asking questions 'Hey can it be done? The academics and the athletics?' and she's always the example that I talk about," said Lesesne, "She manages her time well enough to be successful on the field and in the classroom. We're super proud of 'Lil,' she's awesome."
Looking ahead, Rios has just finished applying to dental school. She is in the midst of interviews but will not hear anything officially until December. She hopes to stay in Georgia to continue her education but is wiling to go wherever it takes to achieve her dream.
Although soccer is not a prominent part of her future plan, she does hope to still take part in it.
"It would be something as a pastime from then on," said Rios, "Because with dental school, I don't think I'm really going to have time for it. It will definitely be a release as it's been here."
Liliana Rios has gone above and beyond the expectations she has set for herself. She is an athlete, a brilliant student, and an amazing example for those around her. Although she is graduating, she is someone who will not soon be forgotten here at the University of Georgia.
Rios and her teammates take the field again this Friday, at 7 pm, against South Carolina at the Turner Soccer Complex.
Ashleigh Shay is a junior from Wall, N.J., who is majoring in public relations, with a communications studies minor, and also is pursuing a sports media certificate from UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is in her second year as a student assistant with the UGA Sports Communications office.
"Coming Attractions" is a weekly feature published on georgiadogs.com spotlighting a UGA student-athlete who will be competing in a key home event during the upcoming weekend. Previous stories from this year include:
August 27 - Jasmine Eaton (volleyball in the Benson Hospitality Invitational)
September 3 - Sydney Shultis (soccer vs. Clemson)
