New York, NY - Vera Pertsovskaya has been named the CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for October 2016. The native of Staten Island, NY has maintained a 3.7 GPA as a Biology and German double major while also placing third overall at the CUNYAC Cross Country Championship at the end of October, with a final time of 26:22.0.

"Vera is one of most all around dedicated student-athlete's I have had the privilege to coach," said head women's cross country coach Daniel Selsky. "I say this not just about her running endeavors, but as a student she is a role model for many of the members on the team. She works hard on her studies and still finds time in between practice and class to volunteer teach in the Bronx. This past summer she spent time working in two different labs. She is a great person to have on the team and one of the hardest workers I know."

Pertsovskaya was born in her hometown of Staten Island, NY but wasn't always a runner like she is today. "Growing up I did ballet for almost 11years," said the now cross country all-star. "In high school I tried out for the gymnastics team but I didn't make it," explains Pertsovskaya, "so my friend told me I should try out for the cross country team with her and I made it onto the team."

Fast forward to October 2016, and Pertsovskaya finished third at the CUNYAC Cross Country Championships while helping secure a first overall team finish for the Hunter Hawks. That race was one of Vera's favorite moments while competing. "The championship was one of the toughest races I've had while at Hunter," said Pertsovskaya, " I was having a tough time mentally completing the race, but my teammate slowed down a little to give me the inspiration to carry on. That's why even in an individual sport like cross country, your teammates are so valuable."

Speaking of teammates, the comradery and friendship they provide for Pertsovskaya is why she recommends joining athletics at Hunter College. "Hunter is a big school but a majority of the students are commuters and it's tough to make friends with people going to class and leaving. When I joined the cross country/track team I not only met teammates but I've met people I consider some of my closest friends. We help each with school and we act as a support system for each other."

The junior year biology and German double major hopes to one day get her MD and become a doctor. Pertsovskaya isn't sure what type of doctor yet but she says she loves the intensity and hectic nature of the Emergency Room, which she volunteers at for Mount Sinai hospital. The many many opportunities in New York City are why Pertsovskaya chose Hunter College, "we don't have a traditional college campus, but that is okay because Manhattan is our campus. There are plenty of hospitals within the city and the price to attend Hunter College makes everything worth it."

Pertsovskaya has received numerous scholarships in her studies at Hunter including the McNulty scholarship which is chosen by Hunter College faculty for a student studying a science-based major. Balancing athletics and academics is always a challenge for any student-athlete, but Persovskaya says, "cross country actually helped organize my time well and my head coach, Daniel Selsky, helps keep me on track."

According to Pertsovskaya, there's one thing that leads to success in both the classroom and out on the track, "hard work. You can wish for something all you want, but only hard work will help you achieve the goals that you set for yourself. Running teaches you discipline and self motivation. When you're running, you are the only one pushing yourself. It's on me to push and improve myself." One of her biggest inspirations is her teammate, Walter Rodriguez. "The day after a race, when everyone has heavy legs, he'll be back out there logging 12-14 miles and he is a great motivator."

Without cross country/track, the Staten Island native doesn't know if she'd have the same amount of success. "Getting out for an hour or two everyday and running helps with my mental skills and it drives me to organize my time better. It relaxes me, because all I need to think about is to keep putting one foot in front of the other." In addition, Pertovskaya's small amount of free time also goes towards volunteering at Generation Citizen in the South Bronx with sixth graders two days a week. She helps children to understand/prevent cyber bullying. In addition, she also likes to make it known to her students that, "their voices matter even though they are young. Especially at this time in our history, young people need to be involved with the decisions that we make as a society."

"I was surprised and happy when I found out I was named October's Scholar Athlete of the Month," said Pertsovskaya, "midterms just ended and it made all of those late nights in the library worth it, I'm very proud."

For the rest of the 2016-17 year, Pertsovskaya has expectations to "strive to be the best scholar athlete that I can. I want to qualify for the ECAC's in the 5k and the mile. In school, I want to continue my work in the lab and continue to learn more from my research.

*Release Courtesy of CUNY Athletic Conference