(Photo by Cashlyn Teggart/The Ryersonian)

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TORONTO (CUP) — Kristen Wavryk isn’t your typical student athlete.

A first-year biology student, Wavryk rides on Ryerson University's equestrian club team, fences on Ryerson’s fencing team, commutes to Ryerson from Scarborough, Ont. — about 25 minutes from Ryerson's downtown Toronto location — and maintains a part-time job.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I do it all. I just kind of do,” Wavryk said.

The 18-year-old has been riding horses for 10 years and fencing for five, but balancing these two activities has not always come so naturally.

In high school, Wavryk immersed herself in fencing. For three years, she fenced competitively in both Canada and the U.S. During this time, she took a break from equestrian riding.

“I stopped riding for a while because fencing just took so much time, especially with travelling to the States. I knew I couldn’t do them both,” she said.

When she arrived at Ryerson, she decided to find a way to make it work while going to school too.

Warvyk made the decision to cut back on competitive fencing and she now only competes on the Ontario university circuit. This means she practises one or two times per week, instead of three or four. Not travelling to the U.S. to compete has also saved her time.

Wavryk has used this new-found time to get back onto the saddle. Andrea Robinson, co-founder and club supervisor of Ryerson’s equestrian team, is glad to have her.

“Kristen has been a wonderful addition to our team this year,” Robinson said. “She’s a strong rider and her love for horses and passion for the sport is shown every day. She’s also always there to help out with whatever the club needs.”

Wavryk primarily rides in Orangeville, Ont. while the Ryerson team practices and competes in Stouffville, Ont., meaning even more travel. Joining Ryerson’s equestrian team has helped Wavryk rekindle her love of the sport.

“I used to be more into fencing, but now I’m more into equestrian,” Wavryk said. “I love riding. I’d give up a lot for riding.”

And, sometimes, she has to.

“It’s a task,” Wavryk said. “Sometimes I have to give away a shift at work or skip a practice. There are a lot of late nights. Sometimes you just have to make sacrifices.”

Wavryk admits that taking on so many things has been a challenge, especially while making the adjustment to university life. This challenge has led her to find creative ways to manage her passions.

Wavryk takes advantage of the long commute from Scarborough to do readings for class. She purposely gets going early in the morning and comes to school. This gives her the opportunity and incentive to get things done.

But incentive to succeed in both sports and school comes from other places as well.

“It’s really the people I’ve met who have kept me in (both sports),” she said. “That’s what has kept me going.”

That, and a healthy dose of determination.

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