YMCA of Greater Seattle Women in Sports

In celebration of Women Trailblazers across industries, mediums, and arenas, we are highlight some of our incredible colleagues who participated in sports at the collegiate, professional and international levels and continue to shine in the communities we serve!

"SONYA "COACH" CRIDER
Branch Executive - Downtown

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Sport: Basketball
• Competition Level: International / Professional / Collegiate
• Team: Professional International- Amsterdam (BVG), Brazil (Santo Andres), Peru (Real Club de Lima) Collegiate-Northern Illinois University
• Position: Point Forward/Center
• Defining Moment: Becoming the first Black Female Basketball player to receive a full scholarship and play for Northern Illinois University. I had taken basketball seriously since the third grade but that moment my parents let mem know this was another level.
• Did you have a Female Role Model in your sport? I was a dedicated Julius “Dr. J” Erving fan. I also looked up to my cousins and uncle who were playing in the NBA. Outside of my sport I looked at Althea Gibson’s tennis career for inspiration.
• If you have one piece of advice to share with young athletes what would it be? Dare to be great. Perfect your craft. Enjoy the moment it will be brief. It won’t all be good,  it won’t all be bad, but it will all be worth it. Welcome to the “Sisterhood of Sports”.

CAROLAN CROSS
Branch Executive - Dale Turner

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Sport: Swimming
• Competition Level: International / Collegiate
• Team: City of Glasgow / Ft. Lauderdale Aquatics
• Position: Distance Freestyler
• Defining Moment: When I was 28 I competed at the 2008 USMS Masters Swimming Nationals. I had fallen back in love with swimming, and was swimming faster than any other time in my career. As an adult, I made the conscious decision to commit to something I loved. To this day I proudly can’t swim anywhere near my best times of 25.6 (50 free), 56.1 (100 free), 2:01.0 (200 free), 5:33.1 (500 free), 11:32.2 (1000 free), 2:23.3 (200 back) at Nationals in 2008.
• Did you have a Female Role Model in your sport? In my youth it was Dara Torres, in my adulthood it is Natalie Coughlin (redefined underwater dolphin kicking). 
• If you have one piece of advice to share with young athletes what would it be? Appreciate what your parents sacrifice for your sport. Never take the opportunities sports affords you for granted and be thankful to those who have come before you. Life is a journey, ensure that what you are doing brings you joy. Be kind to those who surround you. Winning doesn’t always reflect in winning a gold medal.

TRACI BAKER
Program Director YD - Downtown

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Sport: Basketball
• Competition Level: Collegiate
• Team: University of Puget Sound and Spokane Falls CC
• Position: Point Guard
• Defining Moment: Competing against the boys through 8th grade because there were not just teams for girls at that time.
• Did you have a Female Role Model in your sport?  Jeanne Helfer (High School Basketball Coach-Mead HS/Spokane Washington)
• If you have one piece of advice to share with young athletes what would it be? The journey is what is most important, not the end result! Enjoy the journey!

LAURA EHRET
Healthy Living - Downtown

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Sport: Track and Field
• Competition Level: Collegiate
• Team: Washington University in St. Louis
• Position: Middle distance/ long sprinter
• Defining Moment: 4x400 relay, come from behind 2nd place at NCAA Nationals.
• Did you have a Female Role Model in your sport?  Shalane Flanagan
• If you have one piece of advice to share with young athletes what would it be? Have patience with training and always keep your sights on the long game.  It’s not worth it to sacrifice your long-term health for one moment of glory.  On the flip side, showing up and putting in the day-to-day hard work will pay off in the long run!

KELLY STEWART 
District HL Director – Downtown

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Sport: Soccer
• Competition Level: Collegiate
• Team: Seattle University Redhawks
• Position: Goalkeeper
• Defining Moment: After having elbow surgery, coming back to be ranked in the top 10 NCAA Goals Against Average and advancing to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.
• Did you have a Female Role Model in your sport?  Michelle Akers
• If you have one piece of advice to share with young athletes what would it be? If you believe in yourself, are committed to the work and visualize your dreams - ANYTHING is possible!

DARCY O'CONNOR
Member & Donor Services - Downtown

• Pronouns: she/her/hers
• Sport: Cross Country & Track
• Competition Level: Collegiate
• Team: Saint Joseph’s University
• Position: Distance Runner
• Did you have a Female Role Model in your sport?  Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer who broke barriers by being the first women to compete (and crush it!) in the Boston Marathon - shining a light and paving the way for all female runners.
• If you have one piece of advice to share with young athletes what would it be? Our coach instilled many “Quinn-ism”s in us, too many to name - but for young athletes I think an important thing to remember is - don’t fear the competition, you earned the spot on the track/court/field just as much as anyone else out there. Oh and stretch!

Download the digital poster here >