University of New Hampshire Athletics
Athlete Awards
Cayla Barretto
- Award:
- Athletes of the Week
- Week:
- 3/4/2021
- Sport:
- Women's Cross Country
- Bio:
- View Full Bio
Cayla Barretto is a nursing major from Woburn, Mass. She is a member of the Wildcat cross country team and a distance runner for the track and field team. As a sophomore, she was a part of the winning track and field distance medley relay at the America East Championships. Her junior year cross country season, she was named to the All-Conference Second Team for her 11th place finish at the America East Championship meet. Both her sophomore and junior year, Cayla was named to the America East XC All-Academic Team.
Q&A WITH CAYLA
How have you been able to balance being a Division I athlete and being a nursing major?
Throughout my time at UNH, time management has been important. I try to get good sleep and stay focused on what I need to accomplish each week. There have been times where things get overwhelming, but I have a big support system to keep me going. Coach Hoppler has been a big part of why I am able to be successful in both areas. He has empowered me to get some runs in on my own around my nursing schedule.
This past year has been challenging for everyone, but you've been on the front line as a nursing student, how has seeing this pandemic close up impacted you?
The pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone and has put everyone through their own hardships. I think being a nursing student has allowed me to feel as if there is something I can do to help lessen the burden. While in the hospitals, patients can't see their families, so it feels good to be there for them. I've seen a lot of nurses step up and go the extra mile. It makes me proud to be joining the profession soon.
Coach Hoppler named you as one of the runners to watch this cross country and track season and expressed how great of a captain you've been through this past year. What does that mean to you?
I think its surreal to think that I'm the upperclassman now. I have been teammates with a lot of strong women who have taught me how to be a tough competitor. Hearing this from Coach Hoppler gives me confidence I can have this kind of impact on my teammates.
Where have you been challenged this past year as a captain?
The biggest challenge this year is the time I've spent away from the team. I love running because of camaraderie so training on my own has posed a challenge. It also is hard to keep the team focused together. We all have so much going on in our own lives, so we've had to work harder to stay connected.
I know you run the "ladycatpack" social media account, what's been your favorite part of doing that?
I love catching big race moments or workouts on camera. There's a lot of hardworking women on the team and I love being able to have a platform to highlight that. They each deserve their own place to shine, and the page gives me a chance to show what they have accomplished.
OFF THE COURSE/TRACK WITH CAYLA
Go to hype-up song? Levitating by Dua Lipa
Favorite movie? Grease
Bachelor or Bachelorette? Bachelor (Matt James if you're reading this I love u)
Favorite study spot on campus? The quiet room in the library- the big windows are so pretty
Any pre-meet superstitions? Not really, I just like to listen to music and get in the zone
Favorite sports team? The New Balance running teams (Boston and Boss Ladies)
Coffee order? I usually do a French vanilla ice coffee. It's a staple of race day.
Favorite UNH Class? Disease & Drugs. I enjoyed learning about how certain medications work in our bodies and the side effects they may have.
Best TV show ever? New Girl is underrated
Check back each week to get to know two more Wildcats as part of the Service Credit Union Student-Athlete Spotlight. Thank you to Service Credit Union for sponsoring the Student-Athlete Spotlight.
Q&A WITH CAYLA
How have you been able to balance being a Division I athlete and being a nursing major?
Throughout my time at UNH, time management has been important. I try to get good sleep and stay focused on what I need to accomplish each week. There have been times where things get overwhelming, but I have a big support system to keep me going. Coach Hoppler has been a big part of why I am able to be successful in both areas. He has empowered me to get some runs in on my own around my nursing schedule.
This past year has been challenging for everyone, but you've been on the front line as a nursing student, how has seeing this pandemic close up impacted you?
The pandemic has impacted the lives of everyone and has put everyone through their own hardships. I think being a nursing student has allowed me to feel as if there is something I can do to help lessen the burden. While in the hospitals, patients can't see their families, so it feels good to be there for them. I've seen a lot of nurses step up and go the extra mile. It makes me proud to be joining the profession soon.
Coach Hoppler named you as one of the runners to watch this cross country and track season and expressed how great of a captain you've been through this past year. What does that mean to you?
I think its surreal to think that I'm the upperclassman now. I have been teammates with a lot of strong women who have taught me how to be a tough competitor. Hearing this from Coach Hoppler gives me confidence I can have this kind of impact on my teammates.
Where have you been challenged this past year as a captain?
The biggest challenge this year is the time I've spent away from the team. I love running because of camaraderie so training on my own has posed a challenge. It also is hard to keep the team focused together. We all have so much going on in our own lives, so we've had to work harder to stay connected.
I know you run the "ladycatpack" social media account, what's been your favorite part of doing that?
I love catching big race moments or workouts on camera. There's a lot of hardworking women on the team and I love being able to have a platform to highlight that. They each deserve their own place to shine, and the page gives me a chance to show what they have accomplished.
OFF THE COURSE/TRACK WITH CAYLA
Go to hype-up song? Levitating by Dua Lipa
Favorite movie? Grease
Bachelor or Bachelorette? Bachelor (Matt James if you're reading this I love u)
Favorite study spot on campus? The quiet room in the library- the big windows are so pretty
Any pre-meet superstitions? Not really, I just like to listen to music and get in the zone
Favorite sports team? The New Balance running teams (Boston and Boss Ladies)
Coffee order? I usually do a French vanilla ice coffee. It's a staple of race day.
Favorite UNH Class? Disease & Drugs. I enjoyed learning about how certain medications work in our bodies and the side effects they may have.
Best TV show ever? New Girl is underrated
Check back each week to get to know two more Wildcats as part of the Service Credit Union Student-Athlete Spotlight. Thank you to Service Credit Union for sponsoring the Student-Athlete Spotlight.
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|---|---|---|
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| 9/29/2025 | Nicole Poulakis | Field Hockey |
| 9/29/2025 | Matt Vezza | Football |
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