UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University Athletics resumes its 'Student-Athlete Spotlight' feature, which focuses on different Cardinal student-athletes and what it means for them to be a part of the SVSU Athletics family.

The December installment of the 'Student-Athlete Spotlight' series highlights Emily Short, a junior on the SVSU women's cross country and track & field teams and native of Tawas, Mich.  

Short prepped at Tawas Area High School, where she put together an impressive career as a multiple all-state honoree in both cross country and track & field and competed in basketball as well.  She was equally as impressive in the classroom, graduating third in her class while holding positions on the Class Board and National Honor Society, as well as receiving a Good Citizenship Award for her contributions during her high school career.

Emily is currently in her third season of competition for the Cardinal cross country and track & field teams.  She recently wrapped-up her second consecutive All-American finish at the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships with a 15th place finish.  

On the academic side of things, Short has compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.931 while majoring in Chemistry.  Although the junior is currently a Chem major, that's not what initially helped lure her to SVSU as a student.

"Initially, I was attracted to SVSU because of its renowned nursing program and then I switched my major to Chemistry," said Short.  

When asked to give another aspect of SVSU she enjoys, she said the following:

"Once I was here, I really liked SVSU because of its small class sizes.  With the small class sizes, I feel that I have been able to connect better with my professors and fellow students.  I also realized that the chemistry faculty here has many interesting projects and research opportunities that any chemistry student would love to be a part of!"

Short adds-in on her experiences as a member of the Cardinal Athletics family and the cross country and track & field programs:

"Being a student-athlete has been everything that I hoped it would be and more.  It has helped me to better problem solve, learn to balance both education and health, has helped me remain goal-oriented and has introduced me to so many wonderful people that I will forever call my friends.  Thanks to my experiences on the cross country and track teams, I feel confident in my leadership abilities, which will most definitely be beneficial in life after college.

Being able to share the success of a strong finish at a cross country meet, such as regionals or nationals, with some of your closest friends is like no other experience.  We couldn't be where we are without one another, and that is something really special.  We support each other through thick and thin and truly become family.  I couldn't be more thankful for the lovely ladies that I am able to race and train with every day.

Being a member of the SVSU Athletics Family means that even after I graduate, I will never be banished from it - this is a family that I will always have great memories from, and that I will not soon forget."  - Emily Short