Q: Where are you from?
Nicole Desens: I am from Hopewell Jct., its a suburb just outside the city of Poughkeepsie.
Q: How long have you been competing?
ND: I started track when I was in the 7th grade as a sprinter, but I didn't start throwing until 8th, and eventually switched to only throwing during high school.
Q: What attracted you to Fredonia?
ND: I have always loved the feeling of a small town and when I came on my recruiting visit everything just seemed to fall into place. Fredonia was one of the few schools with a good forensic psychology program and the team felt like more like a family than the others that I was recruited by.
Q: What are you studying?
ND: I study psychology and criminal justice. I also have been studying Spanish, but that is more for myself than a degree.
Q: Explain your experience as a Blue Devil?
ND: I would say that I had a rather unique experience as a blue devil. Like everyone else on the team I have a huge love for track and field. Unfortunately, I have had my ups and downs throughout my training, the hardest being fracturing my spine. Half way through my sophomore year I found out that I fractured my L5 vertebrae and slipped the two discs surrounding it. With the care and support of everyone I came back more determined than ever to make Fredonia happy to have recruited me.
Q: What are your athletic and academic goals?
ND: Well, athletically, I plan on finally representing our team at nationals. With being set back a year from my injury, and then just missing the cut last year Coach Julez and I are really training me to end my college career there, and I couldn't be more excited. Academically, I am graduating this May and am going on to grad school for forensic psychology. However, I have not decided where I am going to be studying next fall.
Q: What are your future plans?
ND: Once getting my masters, I plan to work as a counselor in prisons. Eventually, I would like to get a PhD. in forensic psychology, and become a behavioral analyst, but that is farther down the line.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
ND: While I have plenty, I would probably say that Bones is my absolute favorite show!
To see Niki's progression through the years, click HERE.