WBB - Athlete Spotlight: Monica Jean-Baptiste

After being off the court for a whole year due to injury, varsity basketball player Monica Jean-Baptiste is finally back in full force and her presence is known on the court. From Montreal, Quebec, Jean-Baptiste is in her fourth year of the psychologie du sport program.

Much like many athletes, Jean-Baptiste started playing basketball when she was young. "I started playing basketball at the age of 7. My brothers and sisters had a big influence on my interest in basketball," she said. "My first day practicing basketball happened because my sister's coach told her to bring me to practice. It was a fun experience, so I kept going" she mentioned.

It is no secret that sports can teach athletes several skills and competencies used in everyday life. For Monica, basketball has taught her hard work, discipline, perseverance and above all teamwork. "It helped me to be resilient, to learn to get back up despite setbacks and failures," she said.

Basketball is known as a quite rigorous sport, often resulting in injuries. During in 2022 season, Jean-Baptiste had to sit out the full season due to a torn ACL and sprained MCL. However, this did not stop her from being an incredible teammate and supporter. "Even though I wasn't on the court, I had to find the energy to encourage my teammates, support them and give them my contribution as an injured player. It gave me a different perspective on the sport, and I learned a lot from it" she said.

As she made her return to the court this season, Jean-Baptiste talked about the best part of competing for the Voyageurs. Her answer was very similar to other athletes, mentioning the community surrounding Laurentian Athletics. "Representing the Voyageurs allows me to be a part of a community of athletes who share the same passion and dedication to our sport. It gives me the opportunity to challenge myself and grow as an athlete, constantly striving for improvement and pushing my limits" she commented.

The role of a student-athlete can be fairly demanding, but for Monica, effective time management and prioritization are the two ways she manages to stay on top of it all. "It's important for me to have a certain schedule to follow; it's not always fixed, but I make sure I stick to it as much as possible. Between my classes, I find time to do my extra shooting, go to video sessions, go to practice, and travel when we have away games. I never forget that I'm a student first and an athlete second" she said.

Jean-Baptiste talked about the factors that motivate her to practice and play basketball. For her, that high level of motivation is brought on by a combination of factors. "The combination of passion, goals, teamwork, competition, personal growth, and support is what motivates me," she said.

While this is her last year on the Voyageurs basketball team, Jean-Baptiste, like many other athletes, would like to end the year on a positive note. "I want the girls to understand that they have to stay together to have a successful team," she said.

-Madison Boileau