Psychology Student Fences in the Rio Olympics
“I have always strived to get to the highest level,” Harvey said.
Eleanor made history at the Rio Olympics when she defeated world No. 1 Arriana Errigo (Italy). Read about the stunning upset in the Columbus Dispatch.
As a child, Harvey participated in karate, but once she discovered that karate isn’t in the Olympics, she picked up fencing at age 10. Making it to the Olympics has been a dream since.
“My training at Ohio State has helped me get better to qualify for the Olympics,” she said.
Aside from intense practices with the fencing team, Harvey explained that her major in psychology has also helped shape the student-athlete she has become. She said that through psychology, she has learned about mental blocks and dealing with emotions, and each of these aspects are very transferable to fencing.
“Fencing is a psychological sport,” she explained.
She says that her psychology background has allowed her to overcome times of failure, and she understands how to better cope emotionally with a loss so she can continue to move forward and improve her skills. Harvey has also mastered time management skills as a student-athlete and believes that balance is key.
Like many students, Harvey isn’t too sure where she’ll end up after graduation, though as of now, she hopes to move back to Canada and become a firefighter. She also is thinking about continuing to train for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and applying to graduate school to pursue a master’s in psychology.
By Samantha Ruwe, ASC Communications student
