By Cliff McBride and Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
Colorado isn’t known as a hotbed for producing sailing talent – but don’t tell that to Madisen Hamai.
When she arrived at USF St. Petersburg several years ago, Hamai had never stepped foot on a sailboat. This week, she is graduating as captain of the nationally ranked USF Women’s Sailing team.
“When I came to Florida, I really wanted to try a water sport, which I never did in Colorado because it is landlocked,” she said. “The sailing team was taking walk-ons and a girl I met at Orientation asked if I would go with her to try out. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”
A member of the team that has reached the women’s sailing national championships in each of her four seasons, Hamai is equally accomplished in the classroom. She is graduating with a degree in marine biology with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“Joining this team with no experience and putting my all into it has given me a lot of confidence in other areas of my life,” she said. “I can do anything I set my mind to and if I am determined and willing to work hard, I can figure it out.”
She credits the St. Petersburg campus’s smaller class sizes and personal feel for helping her excel and get involved in so much during her college journey.
After graduation, Hamai plans to work as a veterinary assistant, with the goal of becoming a marine animal veterinarian.
“I’m really excited to see what comes next,” she said.
But first, she has another goal in sight. Hamai will lead the Bulls at the Women’s Sailing National Championship from May 15-18, hosted this year by the University of South Florida and the City of St. Petersburg.