If you have attended any of the UT women’s basketball games you’ve probably seen number 12, Caitlyn Mitryk always smiling and giving her best in every game.
Mitryk, a native from Lake Mary, Fla., is a big part of the 20-2 (10-1 SSC Conference) Tampa squad that is on its way to a season to remember.
However, Mitryk was originally recruited by USF and played there for two years.
“My initial decision was to go there.” said Mitryk. “A big reason was because my sister went there.”
Mitryk also commented that when things did not work out at USF she decided to stay in the Tampa area and play for UT.
For most of the students-athletes, balancing school and sports can be a difficult time commitment.
Mitryk said that most of the time professors are accommodating.
“You really have to know what’s going on and there’s no time to forget what your assignments are, because at the end of the day you’re missing class and you have to be accountable for whatever you miss.” Mitryk said.
As a sports management major, Mitryk thinks she ended up in the perfect place.
She also commented that she has a little ritual she practices most of the times before a game.
“I usually take a nap,” Mitryk said. “Time goes faster before the game and then I’m ready to play.”
Her teammates have played an important role in her game and time at UT.
Mitryk was friends with Gianna Messina, who also transferred from USF to UT.
She thinks that sharing that experience made the transfer easier.
Angela Guiu and Mitryk played together in high school and on club teams.
But besides friendship the senior refers to UT as a great place to come and play, and get a great academic experience as well.
“Playing here I’ve been a lot happier,” said Mitryk. “Team wise I feel that we’ve really progressed from last year to this year; I think our program in general has gotten better.”
She also enjoys the small class sizes and interactions with her professors in the sports management program.
With big numbers offensively and defensively and as a regular starter for coach Jessee, Mitryk explains that this year has represented a greater growth in herself as a leader and she continues to smile at every game.
“Sometimes I don’t even notice that I’m smiling,” Mitryk said. “When you’re winning like we are now it is easy to smile, I guess. I don’t know I always smile.”
Hopefully she will keep her smile and keep motivating her team.
In her first season at Tampa, as a junior, Mitryk led the squad in blocks and was second on the team in assists, steals and minutes per game.
She played in all 32 games, while starting in 29.
Mitryk was also named to the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
She was a D-II ADA Academic Achievement Award Winner.
As a senior Mitryk is second on the team with 31.5 minutes per game and ranks second with 30 three-point shots.
Mitryk ranks fourth on the team with 122 total rebounds, averaging five and half boards per game.
As if these contributions are not enough Mitryk ranks third on the team with 29 total steals.
Arturo Uzcategui can be reached at juzcategui.gomez@ut.edu.