With the 2020 spring season ending abruptly for all student-athletes, GoCards.com will feature periodic check-ins with the players as they navigate through the rest of the semester at home. Junior Mercedes Pastor will kick off the series.
 
Pastor was one of four Honda Award Finalists for field hockey and earned her second straight National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-America honor after scoring a career-best nine goals and registering 22 points.  
 
Check out the GoCards.com feature on Mercedes Pastor here. 
 
When the semester came to a halt, the Cardinals' co-captain made the journey back home to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she immediately went into a 14-day quarantine period.
 
The Pastor File
Full name: Mercedes Pastor
Nickname: Mechi
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Class: Junior
Major: Industrial Engineering
 
Q&A with Mercedes Pastor
What is your daily schedule like now?
Same as before for school, I maintain same times to stay organized. However, I work out during the evening. I am currently in Argentina. Here quarantine is mandatory for everybody. So, nobody is allowed to be outside. As I came from a country with many more cases, I was isolated in my room for 14 days, talking to my parents through the window. Interesting times.
 
What do you do in your downtime?
Not too much downtime, but I like reading books. Funny enough, I am reading a book called "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" and talks about the impermanence of life and how we can be better with our approach to change, especially when our routine changes. Very interesting and useful for this moment.
 
How are you communicating with teammates, coaches, etc.?
We use WhatsApp for video calls with coaches. We also used Microsoft Teams for a group conference for the leadership group and will use the same platform for the entire group. Very excited to figure out new ways to communicate and take on this challenge together with teammates and coaches.
 
Are you doing any sorts of workouts from home?
Doing some body weight circuits, anything I can do in a meter squared inside my room. A lot of jumping to put my heart rate up.
 
What is your favorite quote, saying or motto?
Paradise is not a place, it's a state of consciousness.
 
Do you play an instrument, sing, speak multiple languages or have an unusual skill/hobby?
I am native in Spanish and obviously can speak English as well.
 
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Honest
 
What is your favorite social media platform?
I like watching YouTube a lot because of the variety of subjects and the depth of things covered. I like Instagram too.
 
What words of support or encouragement would you send fellow student-athletes?
We have a great opportunity to do great things during a period without precedence. It is completely on us how we react positively to this.
 
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Muhammad Ali. Tremendous athlete, extremely fast. I think he was very funny and love that he was not afraid to speak up and stand up to his values even if it cost him his world champ title or the possibility to compete.
 
What are some of the top moments/favorite memories from your career so far?
The overtime win against Michigan last season was a very special moment. Very special season.
 
If you could play any sport other than field hockey, what would it be?
I actually wanted to be a soccer. But soccer wasn't common for girls when I was young.

Finishing the sentences
I am… very grateful that I get to be with my family and we are all healthy!
I have always wanted to… learn how to play the guitar
Justine was right when she said… There is more than one way to chop a carrot. (I love that one)