As the youngest of three sisters, with one playing field hockey at College of the Holy Cross, the game has always been a big part of Wenners’ life. Her teammates at the College see that come through in the way that she plays. One of her teammates said, “Eleanor has had some awesome defensive saves the past few games, and in general has been playing really well on defense.”

The News interviewed Wenners to learn more about what it takes to be an exceptional student-athlete.

TWN: What is your favorite memory from playing field hockey over the years?
EW: The first few weeks of the season are always incredibly special. There is something magical about working hard in the August heat, enjoying getting to know your teammates during team meals, and being out on the turf together.

TWN: Have you faced any adversity as your season has progressed? If so, how were you able to overcome those challenges?
EW: With any season, there is going to be adversity, whether that be injuries, tough games, cold and rainy practices, or fatigue. Our team motto this year is “Win or Learn.” I think that motto has helped us grow through challenges this season. As a team, we have learned every step of the way through our victories and struggles. I think uplifting and leaning on each other also helps us overcome obstacles.

TWN: Who is someone you look up to and why (can be a field hockey player or someone else)?
EW: My two older sisters are two athletes and people I have always looked up to and admired greatly.

Wenners is a political science major who enjoys a scoop or two of Wellesley Fresh’s Graham Central Station. Wenners also wanted to give a special shoutout to Sadie G and Quinn P for being Wellesley Field Hockey’s biggest fans and for not missing one home game this season. The News also extends our support to Wenners, and we’re excited to see her play in over her next two years at Wellesley!

While having one of our many conversations about how we are supposed to make sense of the bodies that carry us around the world, Antezana declared she had discontinued body negativity and even body positivity, and only would continue to practice body neutrality. This made me wonder what removing the polarized perception of our bodies would really mean. According to Antezana, “It’s just my vessel!”

Beauty standards are constantly adjusting to fit those most sought after on social media platforms and within beauty and fashion industries. As a result, there have been an increasing number of individuals that experience dissatisfaction with their appearance while being bombarded with images of people who have looks that are frankly unattainable for the average person. The body positivity movement that originated in the 1960s has become a source for coping with the stress that is perpetuated by modern beauty standards. Despite the inclusive and supportive nature of this movement, there are still components of this perspective that might be working against the well-being of individuals in society. 

By projecting subjective outlooks on our bodies, no matter if they are good or bad opinions, we take away from the fact that the body is simply an objective matter that gives us the opportunity to experience life. We spend a lot of time — and maybe even more money — on trying to look good, sexy or beautiful. Instead of prioritizing fitting into a beauty standard or accepting a body that is not in line with these expectations, we should recognize that having a healthy body that allows us to move in ways that feel good, sexy and beautiful will provide us with more fulfillment.

Of course this is easier said than done. I admit that I have spent my fair share of money on cosmetics, clothing and services that I think will inch me closer to an ideal appearance. For transparency’s sake, I spend $20–30 a month on cosmetics, $40–50 every other month on skincare and hair products, $20–60 a month on clothing, about $200 a year on gym memberships and exercise materials and far too much mental energy on diet and nutrition. Despite this hefty price tag, I always seem to find that I feel happiest when I respect my body for what it does for me rather than trying to alter it in a way that is not true to its own health and well-being. 

Do not get me wrong. I have no intentions of scaling back the amount of colorful eyeliner pens I can stuff into my makeup box, and I am whole-heartedly a sucker for some body glitter. To me body neutrality is not about devaluing our appearance, but about shifting the focus from having to alter or accept our bodies in some way to just letting them be – as the powerful, living, breathing figures that they are. To return to the concept of bodies simply being a vessel, it is important to remember that in the middle of the ocean, it does not matter if your ship is particularly easy on the eyes, it only matters if it can give you a way to explore the world.

Feldgoise graduated from Brookline High School in Brookline, Mass., in 2019, where she played soccer and ran on the track & field team. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Feldgoise grew up playing soccer and going hiking with her two siblings whenever she had the chance.

This year, she’s helped the Blue to a 4-3 season against some very tough opponents this fall. One of her teammates shared, “Thea is a wonderful role model on the field, setting a precedent of hard work and encouragement for her teammates. She is someone any of us can go to for support and always takes the extra step to help us improve.” 

To learn more about what makes such a great student athlete and teammate, The News asked Feldgoise a few questions.

TWN: What is your favorite memory from playing soccer over the years? 

TF: My favorite memories are from preseason! Coming to Wellesley a few weeks early, hanging out with the team, getting to know the first years, playing soccer … It’s exhausting because we have two practices every day, but it’s always so much fun.

TWN: Have you faced any adversity as your season has progressed? If so, how were you able to overcome those challenges?

TF: Injuries are unfortunately a challenge every season (last year it was one knee, this year it’s the other knee). … On any given day, at least a third of the soccer team is in the ATR before practice doing rehab for our various issues. Support from teammates makes dealing with injuries a lot easier and more fun.

TWN: What gets you most excited to play your sport? 

TF: Running around and kicking the ball with my teammates/friends on our field makes me so happy. Soccer is a part of my day when I get to put aside the stress of school/life for a few hours and just focus on something I enjoy.

At Wellesley, Feldgoise majors in environmental studies and minors in computer science. Upon graduating, she hopes to work in technology on climate solutions. If you see her around campus, don’t forget to congratulate her on a great season so far with raspberries and Dot’s pretzels — her favorites. The Blue wishes Feldgoise all of the best as she finishes her time at Wellesley. 

The Wellesley Cross Country team started their fall season strong by putting their best foot forward. The Blue hosted the Wellesley 5K Invitational on Sept. 2 and squeezed in behind Brandeis to take a second place finish overall. Senior Claire Anderson finished in second place in the 5K race with a time of 18:45.06. Anderson set a personal record of 18:08.32 at the 5K UMass Dartmouth Invitational 2 weeks later. Senior Ellie Murphy-Weise also set a PR of 18:28.02 at this race. They will take to the course again at the Connecticut College Invitational on Oct. 15.

Field Hockey

The Field Hockey team stands 3-4 on the Fall 2022 season so far. With a tough set of games at the start of the year, they are picking up some momentum off a 3-2 win against Worcester State University on Sept. 13 and a 5-1 win against Clark University on Sept. 17. The Blue was excited to hear that teammate Alex Lenart ’24 received the NEWMAC Offensive Athlete of the Week award for the week of Sept. 11. Lenart had four goals, 11 shots and two wins during the week.

Soccer

The Soccer team has had a strong start to their season with new Head Coach Caitlin Pickul at the helm. The Blue has collected four wins out of six games so far, which highlighted great performances from several players. Juniors Remi Fernandez and Paige Sangston have scored goals that helped bring the team to victories over Simmons College, Suffolk University and Framingham State University. Senior goalkeeper Kendall Lincoln has saved 75% of shots on goal this season. The Blue takes to the field against Springfield University and Curry College this week.

Volleyball

As the Volleyball team chips away at their 25-game season, the team is seeing a lot of participation from new players. Lone Senior TylerBell Smith has been tasked with leading the team through their 4-6 start to the season. One of the team’s best games so far was against Norwich University in which Kate Salimbier ’24 had 14 kills and first-year libero Kaija Kunze-Hoeg picked up 17 digs to lift The Blue to a 3-0 win on Sept. 7. The team has faced tough opponents such as MIT and Springfield University, but they will carry energy with them after a 3-2 win over Keene State University on Sept. 22 throughout the rest of their season.

TWN: Where in the Wellesley Athletics Department legislation can the rule that students are not allowed to wear sports bras or crop tops in the KSC be found, or was it an unwritten rule that had been enforced by staff throughout the years?

BE: The guidelines and policies for Fitness Center patrons previously required that “shirts, athletic shoes, and proper athletic attire must be worn at all times.” That policy could be found on the Membership and Policies page of the PERA website https://www.wellesley.edu/athletics/facilitieshours/membership_policies#policies. We also learned through this process that there had been inconsistent enforcement of this particular rule. Our policies are now being updated to reflect that “appropriate athletic attire is required at all times throughout the facility” and “when using the fitness center, patrons wearing tank tops, sports bras or full mesh shirts must place towels between themselves and the equipment pads for sanitation purposes.” We would like all students to know that towels will not be provided by the KSC, and if a patron forgets or does not have a towel, then they will be asked to put their shirt on or not use any equipment in which their bare skin is touching equipment or mats. Please just remember to bring a towel next time!

TWN: What is/was the reasoning for prohibiting students from wearing these articles of clothing?

BE: Our goal is always to be welcoming of all students and Fitness Center users, and we ask that all patrons be considerate of others. We required that shirts, athletic shoes and proper athletic attire be worn at all times to encourage patrons to practice healthy hygiene habits when working out and to limit the amount of sweat that is transferred from a user to the machines. This is both for sanitation purposes and to help maintain the lifespan of the equipment so that it can be used in the best condition by everyone who would like to use the facility. We believe that requiring the use of towels as a barrier will meet this objective. We also wanted to be a place where [people of] all body types and experience levels feel welcome and comfortable. While this goal remains a priority, we also recognize that sports bras and crop tops are now commonplace workout attire and we don’t want our clothing policies to deter students from using the facility.

TWN: Was the discussion to change the rule initiated by student demand, or had it been an ongoing discussion among faculty?

BE: This policy was in existence prior to my arrival to Wellesley. While the policy has been reviewed at multiple points in the past several years, a student request initiated a new round of review.

TWN: How was changing the rule approached by the administration? What factors were taken into consideration?

BE: We reviewed student feedback, previous communications regarding this topic and the policies of other institutions and discussed them within the context of current trends. We recognized that our policy could be updated to allow students to feel their most comfortable while exercising while also meeting the sanitation standards that we want to maintain in the space. It was an easy decision to support our students and we hope to see many students in the Fitness Center and the KSC taking advantage of the opportunity to workout, especially as the days are shorter and weather turns colder this winter!

As I got older, constant endorsements for the coolest and sexiest styles on social media caused my 14-year-old self with self-esteem issues to turn to online shopping. Brands such as Fashion Nova, Zaful and Shein kept me scrolling until I found just the thing that would keep me with the times but would not break the bank. Who would have thought that their business model was to have cheap enough prices that even an unemployed freshman in high school could fill her Instagram account with skimpy bikini pictures? 

It was not until my junior year of high school that I started to learn about the adverse effects the fast fashion industry had on the environment. I then realized the hand-me-downs and thrift store deals I once feared wearing in front of my peers were the only chance we had at not completely destroying the planet for our fashion choices.

Fast fashion is built on the near instantaneous production of garments that are sold at extremely low prices — a great idea for a business mogul that completely disregards the repercussions of this production strategy. Beneath the inviting websites filled with “BOGO” deals and links to the most trendy looks, there is a huge detrimental environmental footprint carved into the Earth. Despite the consumer’s desire to keep purchasing items due to the captivating marketing strategies these industries pose on our attention, 20% of surplus production of clothing has proven to sit in stores unpurchased until it is taken to a landfill. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, the fast fashion industry has a 10% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The amount of water it takes to make just one t-shirt is roughly 700 gallons. 

The most damaging part about the fast fashion industry is that nearly all of the garments are fabricated with non-biodegradable synthetic materials such as rayon, polyester and nylon. This leaves fashion fast to produce, fast to build up and fast to pollute the Earth. Not only does fabric waste take up precious space on our Earth that could be used for forestry, but the synthetic materials are often composed of toxic materials like petroleum that pollute water bodies and the atmosphere. Consumer complacency has to stop if there is any hope of reversing the effects of climate change.

Maybe you have already caught onto the case against fast fashion. Perhaps you promised to only buy from brands that promote sustainability or use recycled materials in their items. You, unfortunately, have fallen victim to greenwashing: the facade brands use to seem more environmentally friendly to customers. The brand H&M received criticism for this when they marketed their clothing as “sustainable,” but gave no specification of what elements of the garments were sustainable. It is not required to include what percent of a garment is made of recycled material, but customers have the right to know if it is 2% or 75%. Companies often throw out environmentally friendly terms with no change in fabrication of their goods at all. Do not let the words “eco,” “natural” and “recycled” fool you. They can be just as evil as any other marketing buzzwords.

Some products can appear to be sustainable, but upon further investigation, it is clear that long-term environmental impact is not always taken into consideration. Though not clothing in particular, the metal straw movement proves this point. Ever since the crushing video of someone removing a plastic straw from a sea turtle’s nostril, reusable straws have been a necessity for everyone. However, the first solution to decreasing the environmental impact of an industry is not always the best one. While they are not as likely to puncture a sea turtle’s nasal cavity, aluminum and titanium metals can still take roughly 500 years to decompose. 

So what do we do as consumers? How can our outfits pass the vibe check in this day and age without destroying our planet? 

The answer is easy. Every time you purchase an item, think about where it has been. If you find a garment at a second-hand shop or perhaps you are fortunate enough to know the person who made it, you have already cut a huge part of your environmental footprint. Then think about where it is going. If you know the piece of clothing is biodegradable (i.e. cotton, wool or hemp) trust that when you stop wearing the item, the Earth will eventually stop wearing it too. It may be hard to be a mindful consumer, but the world is desperately calling on us to be. Thrift away.

Schedule That Dinner Date with Your Blockmates

The dining halls are now open for reservations. Schedule a fun dinner date with your blockmates. Dress up and make it an occasion. The plates and utensils might not be the classiest, but that does not mean your outfit cannot be! Enjoy the opportunities to bond with your block over meals. You can make these dining hall table reservations by following this URL https://www.wellesley.edu/reslife/diningreservations, and then clicking on the R&R system link.

Revisit the Trends of Quarantine from This Spring

Some of us might be used to quarantining in the colder months if you were sent back home to a cooler climate last March. These folks might remember quite vividly the trends that kept us going through the beginning of quarantine while having to stay inside. Some trends you may recall include the multitude of TikTok dances that continue to keep us entertained today, whipped coffee, Chloe Ting workouts, Zoom parties, interesting dating app conversations and many other activities.This winter, you could even start your own quarantine trend.

Study Dates in the Common Room

We are fortunate to have many beautiful areas to gather inside on campus safely. Take advantage of these spaces! If you have gotten used to doing work alone in your room, try making a point to study with some friends in the common spaces. There is a decent chance you might not be as productive, but at least you will have someone to share a study break with in between finishing that PSet or typing out that paper.

Learn How to Play the Piano

If you have not caught on yet, Wellesley has a piano in every dorm hall. While it certainly adds to the aesthetic of campus, they are not just for show. If you have little experience with music, ask a friend to teach you the basics. YouTube also has an abundance of tutorial videos that can help you learn those tunes that have been stuck in your head.

Take it Outdoors

Bundle up when the snow starts falling this winter and play outside. Try sledding down the hill by Sev Green, build snow people and snow sculptures around campus and enjoy the beauty of the campus dusted with snow. If you have the equipment, find some places on or off campus to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Make a trip to a local grocery store to grab some hot cocoa to warm up with after a fun day in the cold!