HUSKY SPOTLIGHT: CATHERINE GAGNON
January 11, 2024 | Women's Tennis
Catherine Gagnon, a freshman from Quebec, Canada, spent her early years practicing gymnastics before realizing at the age of five that her heart was in tennis.Β
Gagnon's father, she noted, was the one who introduced her to the sport and to this day is one of her biggest inspirations.Β
"I don't want to give too much credit to my parents, but I want to give credit where it's due," Gagnon joked. "The way my parents raised me, the values they gave me and instilled in me every day β I really think that's why I ended up here (at UW)."
"When I think of role models, I think of my parents," Gagnon added. "The work they put in day in and day out just for me to be able to play tennis and travel and play all these competitions β I am so grateful. My sisters have played a big role in my life too because they've always been there to support me. When I'm going through a rough patch, the first people I think of are my sisters. I know they'll find a way to make me feel better."
A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM
Coming from a family of girls β two sisters and three step sisters β maintaining the support of her family is so important for Gagnon, both as a support system and a motivator to continue to work hard.Β
Having parents who trusted her while she chose a college and sisters who are there through thick and thin, being away from home for the first time has been an adjustment for the freshman.Β
"I've developed a new family here at UW to fill that void a little bit which has been really good," Gagnon said.Β
Gagnon clicked with the tennis team instantly on her visit to Seattle and, as a self-proclaimed good judge of character, knew that this was the chosen family she wanted to spend her time with on the court.Β
Gagnon has fellow freshman Alexia Jacobs to thank, as Jacobs helped convince Gagnon β who was set to start college in 2024 β to come to UW a year early.Β
The Canadian duo played many tournaments together during their junior careers, giving them plenty of opportunities to spend time together and get to know one another off the court.Β
HEAD COACH THOUGHTSΒ
"Catherine is such a special individual and we are so lucky that she was able to join us a year early," Head Coach Robin Stephenson said.Β "She is so positive and such a hard worker and goes about things the right way. She is eager to get better everyday and brings an intensity and joy to the courts that lifts everyone up around her.Β
"Her communication during the recruiting process and her passion and desire to be a Husky really stood out amongst so many of her unique strengths. She is the perfect fit for our program and brings with her the same values and belief in how we do things. She is aligned with our vision and what it takes to be successful. Catherine is a fierce competitor with a strong will to win and I have no doubt that she is going to do great things in this program. She is a top notch human being and a tremendous teammate. People like her will always be successful - I can't wait to see her continued impact here at UW."Β
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β Washington Women's Tennis (@UW_WTennis) January 11, 2024
Excited to have Catherine join our team this season, all the way from her Canadian igloo ??
>> https://t.co/Y5ezrBunTF#GoHuskies x #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/qDpvLshToU
ADJUSTING TO ENGLISH
The Quebec native spent a majority of her childhood learning in French, so being in the classroom at UW and learning material in English has been an adjustment.Β
She grew up in a bilingual environment and has always been able to speak and write in English. However, making the mental connections in the classroom β thinking in French and speaking in English β is a new challenge for Gagnon.Β
Once she learned to not be afraid to ask questions and ask for help, Gagnon has become a lot more comfortable utilizing the academic resources UW provides and finding early success in the classroom.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE BUT LIVING IN THE MOMENT
Gagnon has a future plan that most college freshmen don't possess β and she's just 17. She plans to study neuroscience at Washington, with hopes of combining her love for science with her interest in human behavior. Gagnon also has plans to play tennis professionally after college, so being flexible with her academics is important to her.Β
Although she has ambitious goals for her time at UW and beyond, Gagnon's main priority β especially during her freshman season β is to absorb as much as possible.Β
"I am really trying to learn and take in as much as I can," Gagnon said when asked about her tennis goals. "I'm going day-by-day and working on my short term goals of improving in certain areas. My long term goal is to go pro, but it's obviously going to take a lot of effort to get there and that's the reason I'm living in the moment β emphasizing staying in the present has been my focus."
It's imperative to Gagnon to feel that she's contributing to her team, whether that's on the court, cheering on the sidelines or supporting her teammates in whichever ways they may need.Β
"We're going to play so many matches and there are going to be so many ups and down," Gagnon said. "Just being able to get back up when you're down, knowing when you're up why you're up so you can stay there as long as you can β it's going to be a lot of adjusting and learning from situations. I think if I can do that and take that experience then I'll be able to build on my game, grow my confidence and the results are going to come."
Players Mentioned
