Balancing act: Student athlete Nai'la Zadlo pairs lacrosse and engineering

Arizona State University student Nai'la Zadlo is no stranger to competing in athletics, having participated in multiple team sports throughout her life. When she entered into her first year at ASU, she decided to take on a brand-new challenge for the very first time — lacrosse.

“I actually never played lacrosse before coming to ASU, but I knew I wanted to try a new sport and something I've never done before, especially a field sport,” Zadlo said. “So I came in not knowing how to do anything about sport, not knowing any rules.”

With the support of her fellow Sun Devils on the team, Zadlo went from a brand-new beginner to having three years of lacrosse experience under her belt, now serving as the team’s treasurer.

“My team was so welcoming and so helpful to help me get to where I am now,” she said. “To where I actually have a role on the field instead of just cheering everybody on. It's so awesome, and my coaches have been nothing but supportive.”

Having grown up in a military family, Zadlo hails from Virginia but has lived all over, including in Arizona while in middle and high school. 

“And I just always knew I was going to come back at some point,” she said. “I really like the university as a whole and the campus. I love Tempe and it's so large.”

Now, entering into her junior year at ASU, Zadlo says that the key to her success has been finding the balance and connections between academics, athletics and extracurriculars.

“Obviously, time management is so important with many things, but balancing practices, games, homework, finals, exams, whatever it may be, it's just so important to still find time for yourself,” she said. “Find breaks and social breaks — and what's great about my team is that we also have social team bondings together.”

Zadlo, who is studying engineering management at Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, says that being on the lacrosse team gives her the ideal opportunity to recharge from her time in the classroom.

“When I'm on the field, I don't think about anything else but hanging out with my friends and playing the sport,” Zadlo said. “And it's just the perfect break and being able to manage that time is so important.”

Balancing academics and athletics provides Zadlo with a well-rounded student experience.

“You want to have good grades, have a good GPA and be present in the classroom, but then when you add in the sports, it adds in that extra mental mindset,” she said. “I think with sports, having that team factor, the drive, commitment, it helps with academics as well, because you want to still be driven, still be committed. And having both together just melds really well.”

While Zadlo reiterated that time management is essential to success, she says that you don’t have to have it all figured out as you enter your first year of university.

“This might be counterintuitive, but you don't have to have such a strict plan,” she said. “I remember when I graduated high school, I was like, ‘I'm going to do this, and this, and this, and this, and this is going to be my dream job, and this is how I'm going to get there.’ Be okay with change. Be okay with knowing that that plan may not go to fruition.”

“And be okay knowing that things will change how you think, and that you don't have to do everything right away either, you can take your time,” she added.

When Zadlo enrolled as a first year student at ASU, she had focused on a different major within Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering before settling on engineering management.

“I had switched my major, but stayed within engineering,” Zadlo said. “In engineering, I think it's really cool to meld all the STEM principles and also apply that to everyday life. And it is obviously difficult, but it has only helped me with my driving commitment and being focused overall.”

Zadlo recommends that first year students get involved on campus, whether that be through athletics or other university activities and clubs. Each campus hosts a Fall Welcome involvement fair where students can explore opportunities, join a club and begin connecting with the communities that share their interests and passions.

“I remember my first year, I just went with my roommate, and it was so cool just seeing all the teams, whether it's a sports club or just any other club or intramurals,” she said. “Just go and try to be involved on campus, truly. See all your options.”

For students who want to support Zadlo and the Women’s Lacrosse Sports Club team, you can find their schedule on the ASU Sport Clubs website or keep up to date by following the team’s Instagram (@wlaxclubasu).