“I do think that I wouldn't have realized my full potential as a person if I were on the team, and I wouldn't have realized my actual interests beyond swimming,” Mathis said. “I would have missed that opportunity to grow myself as a person in the real world outside of swimming.”

While neither of their college careers turned out exactly the way they expected, Wittpenn and Mathis clearly see the positive side of each of their unique situations. Wittpenn recognizes the supportive family she’s gained from rowing. Mathis understands that the personal growth she’s experienced in college may have not been possible if she was still a student-athlete.

When their time as Virginia student-athletes were cut short, Wittpenn and Mathis could have both focused on the negatives. Instead, like many other former Division I athletes across the country, the pair have made the most of their lives and accomplished some amazing things since their relationships with Virginia Athletics were severed.

Read the rest of this Cavalier Daily story here.