These Drew students have a jump-start on the game of life.
"We get a lot of support from the coaches. It’s just more people holding me accountable. When I’m busier, it makes me focus, and I manage my time better." —Josie Emanuelli C’19
Eduardo Martinez C’18
MAJOR> Economics
SPORT> Men’s Soccer
HOMETOWN> McLean, Virginia
SCHOLAR> President of Student Athletic Advisory Committee, analyst for The Fund (student investment club), Washington, D.C., finance intern
ATHLETE> Captain of the NCAA Sweet 16 team and First Team Landmark All-Conference Honoree in 2017
What stands out from the run to the Sweet 16?
Making history and being undefeated. Knowing that we were the group of guys who, day in and day out, worked incredibly hard for those achievements, and now they sit in the history books. We had this awesome adrenaline every game and knew what we were doing was special.
When did you realize it? Not going to lie—pretty early on, a quarter into the season. We were just jelling. Being captain for two years, I remember times when things weren’t flowing this way. But this team had what it takes.
As a senior looking back, what advice would you give yourself as a freshman?
Work hard; be a leader. Though you’ll fall short in the beginning, don’t be discouraged. It pays off. I’m very thankful for the multiple mentors who have helped shape me both athletically and academically. I will carry that forever.
What do you bring from soccer to investing?
My competitive nature! Also, investing is trying to predict what will happen, and as a midfielder, I tried to think ahead and find the guys who would score the goals.
Malavika Vishwanath C’20
Malavika Vishwanath C’20MAJOR> Psychology
SPORT> Women’s Swimming & Diving
HOMETOWN> Bangalore, India
SCHOLAR> Three-time Academic All-American; Presidential Scholar; member of Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology
ATHLETE> Honorable Mention All-American, NCAA Championships qualifier, Landmark Conference Swimmer of the Year—all in 2017
You’re the first Drew swimmer to earn All- American status since 1999. How does it feel?
It’s incredibly special! But I want to work harder and improve, and hopefully there are First Team All-American honors in the future.
You’re a psychology major. How important is the mind to athletic success?
It’s as strong, if not stronger, than the actual body. It controls the outcome. Your body can do whatever you want it to do—you just have to tell your mind to get your body to do it.
Swimming at a national level is a big commitment. What kind of support do you get?
My coaches, Rich Munson and Mark Johnson, are invaluable and have my best interests at heart. And every single one of my professors has been incredibly supportive, always happy to help me catch up and stay on top of my academics. I’m so incredibly grateful!
You finished 15th in the 1,650 freestyle at the NCAA Championships. That’s 17 minutes in the pool. What do you think about?
Coach Munson has this song, “66 laps to go,” etcetera. Sometimes it gets stuck in my head. For the most part my brain goes on autopilot.
What’s the transition from India to New Jersey been like?
There really hasn’t been anything hard to adjust to. Drew has been amazing! Everyone’s so welcoming to this person from halfway around the world. I couldn’t ask for more.
Brian Dagostino C’20
Brian Dagostino C’20MAJOR> Media & Communications
SPORT> Baseball
HOMETOWN> Southbury, Connecticut
SCHOLAR> Intern with the New York Yankees, member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, assistant in the Sports Information Office
ATHLETE> A hit in his debut at-bat made for a memorable first-year moment for the Rangers’ catcher
You interned in the media relations office of the New York Yankees during the 2017 playoffs. What were your duties?
I made sure the media had statistics and notes for the game and worked in the auxiliary press box. During the press conference, when the moderator would say, “Next question to the reporter to the left in the third row,” I gave them the microphone. After one game, on the drive home, I said to myself, “Working here is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”
Seeing major leaguers up close, what part of that experience did you bring to your playing?
To them, it’s a job. This is their workplace, but they are still having fun playing the game. It made me understand baseball isn’t my job; I don’t have to live and die with it. Be serious—but have fun.
What’s the easiest part of being a student-athlete?
You come into college with 40 friends immediately. I had a group—my team.
The hardest?
When we have 7 a.m. practice, and everyone looks like they just rolled out of bed—most likely because they did. But then Assistant Coach Lou Colon gets us energized by yelling his signature line: “Wakey, wakey, corn flakey!”
Your parents, Michael C’87 and Nancy C’87 Dagostino, met at Drew. What’s it like when they visit?
When we walk around campus, they’re always pointing things out. I’m like, “We need to be done with this! This is my college now!”
Josie Emanuelli C’19
Josie Emanuelli C’19MAJORS> Economics and Environmental Studies & Sustainability
SPORT> Field Hockey
HOMETOWN> Montclair, New Jersey
SCHOLAR> Baldwin Honors Scholar, intern with the Museum of Reclaimed Space, three-time shortTREC traveler
ATHLETE> This sports editor of The Acorn started 13 of 14 games on defense this season
You’ve been a RISE scholar working with retired microbiologist Neal Connors. What’s your research about?
He told me about bacteria that eat oil. It fascinated me. I wrote a paper on hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and their role in the cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Since then, I’ve done independent research on the economic and environmental impacts of the spill, focusing on the barrier island of Grand Isle. This work will become a part of my honors thesis.
You’re a Student Philanthropy Ambassador, the treasurer of the Drew Environmental Action League and the copy editor of Drew Review.
I’m also a finance intern with a local congressional campaign. And I’m working on a project to revitalize an area between the greenhouse and Brothers College as an outdoor space where students can enjoy art and relax in nature on campus.
What’s the biggest misconception about field hockey?
A lot of people ask if my back is broken and why we’re always bent over. They assume we’re bending over, but we’re really getting low. It’s more of a sitting-in-a-chair motion.
All photos by Bill Cardoni