Athletes Near and Far
Athletes Near and Far
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Adiamar Beaz-De Jesus
Adiamar Beaz-De Jesus
If you don’t know what the Puerto Rican Flag stands for, then all you must do is meet Adiamar Beaz-De Jesus. I guarantee that if you’ve been in the same room as this amazing young lady, then you felt her warmth, and were blinded by her radiate, captivating, smile. She is a fierce competitor on the court and in the classroom. She’s a repeat offender of the Dean’s List and assisting her team with kills…volleyball kills that is.
Approximately 1,690 miles from her San Juan home in Puerto Rico, Adi has made a decision to have a temporary home here at Pitt Johnstown as a Bio Major and Volleyball Student Athlete… and we couldn’t be happier about it! Family is what she is all about and that’s what makes her the amazing young woman that she is. Her journey to UPJ hasn’t been easy and is full of remarkable leaps over some large obstacles.
This lady has weathered 7 major hurricanes/tropical storms throughout her life, but it’s weathering the storms of life that make her even more remarkable. Her journey of resiliency began at a young age. She faced a tough loss of her grandmother to cancer at the age of 8. Her grandma’s legacy of deep roots in family lives on in Adi. In 2017, they were hit by two hurricanes in a row…having no power for three months!! Not having power for periods of time is an often occurrence and it has taught her to find peace and joy in all circumstances. Fast forward three years, and arrive at the dreaded year 2020, which happened to fall on her junior and senior year…the two most important years for college recruitment. The year of 2020-2021 was one of being confined to homes and families only. Adi didn’t let that stop her. She had a volleyball in her hands every second…from couch to kitchen…bed to backyard. She was told to give up on her scholarship dreams…that it was too late. Not for Adi. A pep talk from her beloved father insighted courage and reminded her of who she is. Disciplined. Driven. Focused. Resilient.
As a freshman she started and played in every match here at Pitt Johnstown…and she dominated. As if being away from home and family wasn’t hard enough, she had to be away from her family as Hurricane Fiona made its way up the coast in September 2022. Adi had to face a larger devastation than Hurricane Fiona when she lost one of her best friends to cancer at the same time. Not just any friend, but the friend that was a sure bridesmaid. Dreams of weddings together and raising children together had crumbled in a matter of an instant. Adi heard of the news on a Thursday; played in her volleyball game on Friday; flew home after the game; and returned to Johnstown at 3pm just in time for her next volleyball game that Tuesday. The evening before she returned home she got to share a sunset at the beach with her family. A sunset that she knew her best friend painted just for her. Even in her heartache, Adi was able to see the beauty in life.
Her journey the last 5 years, in particular, speak to her character, discipline, and values. In case you didn’t know, here is the meaning of the Puerto Rican flag, “The three red stripes symbolizes the blood from the brave warriors, the two white stripes symbolize victory and peace after obtaining independence, blue symbolizes the sky and sea and the white star is the island. Student satisfaction continues to be at the forefront of our strategic plan initiatives. One of the most prevalent issues brought to our attention from the students was the lack of spaces to congregate and “hang out” within our student union. Utilizing what was formerly the campus bookstore, we were able to renovate the 5,000 sqft space into a student lounge. Comprised within the space are 7 different seating areas, 2 large screen TV’s, a shuffleboard table, a café eating area, booths for relaxing or reading, and multiple tables of various sizes to meet the needs of students working on projects. The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive as they have begun to utilize the space.
It’s evident Beaz embodies bravery. It’s evident in her perseverance through setbacks and trials that she embodies independence and peace. It’s worth noting that Adi finds her reset and reprieve at the beach. And most certainly, I think it is easy to see that Adi is a star. A star that shines ever so brightly and warm.
Story: Abby Gearhart
Photo: Bridgeperspective
Nathaniel Thomas: Running with Purpose
Nathaniel Thomas: Running with Purpose
Nathaniel Thomas is not your average student…in fact he is not your average student athlete. He is an exceptional young man that goes above and beyond in all that he does. Yes, he leads all sprinters on the track and competition field, but most importantly, he leads with his heart and by example.
Nathaniel Thomas was born and raised in the Chicago area. His favorite part about being from there is taking pride in it, “Chicago is the best city in the world with exceptional food, attractions, architecture, & culture.” Nate shared how his environment motivated him to get where he is today, “Where I come from doesn’t have many people that go on to college let alone a college athlete. I overcame many obstacles and challenges just to even have the chance to dream of becoming something bigger than my environment… I would definitely say my resilience is my x-factor, when things aren’t in my favor I still press on to give it my all.”
Nate is no stranger to hurdles in life …or on the track! He is one of Pitt Johnstown’s leading pacers for the 400 meter hurdle event for outdoor track. He also holds Pitt Johnstown’s record for the indoor 500m event. Nate commented that he loves the fierce competition in the PSAC! Pitt Johnstown is a proud member of one of the most competitive Division II conferences in the nation. Nate shares his sentiments on specifically being a Mountain Cat Athlete, “Being a track athlete here at UPJ really means a lot because I can confidently say the athletic department staff are very welcoming, encouraging, and supportive.”
Aside from Nate overcoming hurdles from his environment and on the track, Nate would say that his faith is the most important factor that shaped him into the amazing you man he is today. “My faith in Jesus and the courage to live and do what is right no matter the situation is what makes me, me!” Nate plays a very integral part in one of the campus’s largest faith based organization, TimeOut Christian Fellowship. He contributes a large part of his personal growth to the opportunities he has had while serving in this awesome campus organization:
I am Vice President of TimeOut Christian Fellowship here on campus and that in itself has been nothing short of wonderful. The people we impact, the opportunities to serve, and even our mission trips have been a great work for GOD’s kingdom. Specifically, we travelled to Maui, Hawaii this past March to help assist in repairing houses from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. A good week of service there really touched my heart and opened my eyes to how we take things for granted.
Nate’s tremendous character and contributions on the competition field, in the classroom, and in the community have elevated him as an easy nomination to attend the 2025 Student Athlete Leadership Forum held in Dallas Texas. Only two student athletes from the entire conference are selected to go, Nate was an easy nomination…and obviously an easy choice for the PSAC who had the final vote!
I am ecstatic that I was selected to attend the 2025 NCAA student athlete leadership forum this November knowing how invaluable the experience will be. Attending with Ms. Gearhart also makes this trip even greater knowing she has made my transfer to UPJ my junior year very smooth and comfortable. I hope to gain administrative leadership skills by attending this forum. I know this forum will greatly benefit me since I am a business major.
Nate will surely make an impact at this upcoming Student Athlete Forum because of his character, integrity, and ability to be all in. He is the ultimate servant leader and is most deserving of such an opportunity to represent Mountain Cat Athletics well. It will be a privilege to travel with this amazing young man!
Abby Gearhart
Director of Athletics
Credit: Slippery Rock Sports Information
Credit: Slippery Rock Sports Information
Pau Cano
Pau Cano
Pitt-Johnstown freshman forward Pau Cano netted a pair of goals and collected an assist last week to earn PSAC West Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week honors when the conference office announced this week's award winners on Monday.
Cano, a native of Mataro, Spain, scored two goals on six shots and added an assist to lead the Mountain Cats to a 3-2 victory over California (PA) in last Wednesday's PSAC West-opener at the Pitt-Johnstown Soccer Field.
Cano then helped Pitt-Johnstown earn a 2-2 conference draw with perennial power Gannon on Saturday to give the Mountain Cats their best start in the PSAC since joining the conference in 2013.
Ellie Zuro-Cirino
Ellie Zuro-Cirino
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