Emily Lopez ’27 is drawn to Geneseo’s unity on and off the field.
By Kris Dreessen
Emily Lopez ’27, a biology major, is in the middle of her first season on the Geneseo track and field team, and she already has an international competition under her belt.
Lopez competed against other athletes with disabilities in the 2023 Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, last November, only a few months after arriving on campus.
Lopez took on athletes from all over the world in the 200-meter and 400-meter sprint events and the long jump, making it to the finals in the 200-meter event.
“I was able to take away from the games the experience of competing at such a high level,” says Lopez. “Having a meet at that level will definitely help me in the future with my goal of going to the Paralympics. I was able to connect with athletes from different countries, as well as make some new friends from Team USA. It was also great to be able to represent Geneseo track and field on the international stage.”
In high school, Lopez competed both on the high school track and field team and in paralympic events in Texas and Arizona to be classified for the national and international competitions.
Lopez enjoys competing as an individual sprinter and jumper, but all individual points contribute to the team score.
“I get very competitive and like to feed off other people’s energies,” says Lopez. “That’s why I am drawn to track and the team environment. At Geneseo, it is multiplied by a hundred.”
Lopez says she felt the warm and welcoming atmosphere Head Coach Chris Popovici ’06 and upperclassmen create—even on her first Geneseo tour. The entire team embraces the motto “SUNY G Believe:” believe in yourself, your training, and your teammates.
“Everyone wants to be better,” says Lopez. “We push each other and we have a strong sense of unity. My teammates and coaches made their support for me in Chile known, even though I was a couple thousand miles away from Geneseo.”
- Watch Geneseo’s track and field meets—and other home games—online, for free, by subscribing to the Geneseo Knights YouTube channel.
- Watch Lopez talk about the 2023 Parapan American Games.