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The University of Utah Athletics
Quarantine Q&A: Niyah Becker & Julie Brosseau Return To Campus
6/16/2020 10:39 AM | Women's Basketball
When the Coronavirus Pandemic hit the United States and college athletics shut down in March, student-athletes around the country made the decision to either stay on campus and in town, or head to their hometowns. For two of Utah's women's basketball student-athletes, the decision was made to stay in Salt Lake City instead of head back to Canada.
Niyah Becker and Julie Brosseau rode out the quarantine together in their shared house with other teammates in Salt Lake City, using the time to strengthen their minds, body and friendship. UtahUtes.com recently caught up with the duo as Utah's athletics facilities reopened this week for voluntary workouts.
Q: What are some of the things you have done to stay busy once school was over?
JB: Since the weather was getting warmer and warmer, we went on a couple of hikes, which was really fun. Also, we decided to do some crafting, tie-dye and paintings.
NB: We planned lots of fun things to do around Utah that we normally wouldn't have had time for while still being safe. We've gone to Antelope Island, Buffalo Point, the Salt Flats, gone hiking and have had some picnics.
Q: What was it like having to do workouts on your own and what was the process like staying in shape without a gym?
JB: It was definitely something we had to adapt to at first, but having each other was so much easier. We could help each other and alternate roles while working out. For example, someone would hold down a towel while the other would try to lift it up. Our strength coach, Randy, gave us all a full home workout, so we didn't really have to worry about it.
NB: Having to do workouts on your own is not as great as having a place to go with all the equipment you need ready to use. There was a lot of finding random house objects that were heavy enough to use in different exercises and a lot of creativity involved.
Q: Did you pick up any new hobbies, if so, what were they?
JB: I personally started to paint. Most of the nights, instead of watching TV, I would paint in the kitchen or living room.
NB: I picked up painting, baking and hiking. I used to hate hiking before quarantine, but because I figured it was a great way to get more exercise in, I ended up going on a lot of hikes and I realized I actually do like it.
Q: What kinds of outdoor activities have you been doing and what is your favorite?
JB: We have been hiking, running, walking and doing circuit style workouts. We have also played basketball together, but one of my favorite activities has been playing pickleball.
NB: We've been hiking, going on lots of walks, going for runs around the neighborhood, paddle boarding, going on picnics, yoga. My favorite so far has been hiking, yoga and paddle boarding.
Q: What have been some of your favorite memories of quarantining together this summer?
JB: Honestly, anytime there was a little activity during the day, it would always make it a great day, like going on walks, hikes or cooking together. In general though, quarantining together could not have been any better. One of my favorite moments would be when we did smores during the sunset in the mountains.
NB: Some of my favorite memories from quarantine have been the random dance parties we would do late at night. A couple of times after the day was done, we all just wanted to hang out a bit together and we would turn up the speaker and just dance for hours until we were exhausted and ready for bed.
Q: Has it been hard being away from home during this time?
JB: It definitely has been hard to not see my family during that time, but the best conditions to quarantine was in Utah. I was able to spend it with great friends and FaceTime also really helped me to get through it.
NB: It has been really hard being away from home for such a long time and also just not knowing when I'll be able to go home next. I really miss my family and getting to see them all the time is something I definitely took for granted growing up. What has made it easier though has been living with my teammates. We have all been finding a lot to do that has taken my mind off being homesick.
Q: What are you most excited about returning to campus and to the facilities?
JB: I am excited to get back my routine and to be in an actual gym. I am excited to get back at it where we left it before everything went down.
NB: What I am most excited for is to be able to actually play basketball with my team. I miss having 10 people on a court and being able to really play five-on-five.
Q: What have you been doing to stay safe and healthy this summer?
JB: We have been social distancing and just always hanging out together in our house. We also made sure to wear masks, use plenty of sanitizer and wash our hands as soon as we would get home.
NB: To stay safe and healthy, we have mostly been staying in our house doing fun things or being out in nature away from the public. When we do go into the public, we are careful about how often we go to grocery stores and places that people go to. We have been very aware of who we have seen or where we have gone and are constantly washing our hands or changing our clothes when we come back from not being in the house.
Niyah Becker and Julie Brosseau rode out the quarantine together in their shared house with other teammates in Salt Lake City, using the time to strengthen their minds, body and friendship. UtahUtes.com recently caught up with the duo as Utah's athletics facilities reopened this week for voluntary workouts.
Q: What are some of the things you have done to stay busy once school was over?
JB: Since the weather was getting warmer and warmer, we went on a couple of hikes, which was really fun. Also, we decided to do some crafting, tie-dye and paintings.
NB: We planned lots of fun things to do around Utah that we normally wouldn't have had time for while still being safe. We've gone to Antelope Island, Buffalo Point, the Salt Flats, gone hiking and have had some picnics.
Q: What was it like having to do workouts on your own and what was the process like staying in shape without a gym?
JB: It was definitely something we had to adapt to at first, but having each other was so much easier. We could help each other and alternate roles while working out. For example, someone would hold down a towel while the other would try to lift it up. Our strength coach, Randy, gave us all a full home workout, so we didn't really have to worry about it.
NB: Having to do workouts on your own is not as great as having a place to go with all the equipment you need ready to use. There was a lot of finding random house objects that were heavy enough to use in different exercises and a lot of creativity involved.
Q: Did you pick up any new hobbies, if so, what were they?
JB: I personally started to paint. Most of the nights, instead of watching TV, I would paint in the kitchen or living room.
NB: I picked up painting, baking and hiking. I used to hate hiking before quarantine, but because I figured it was a great way to get more exercise in, I ended up going on a lot of hikes and I realized I actually do like it.
Q: What kinds of outdoor activities have you been doing and what is your favorite?
JB: We have been hiking, running, walking and doing circuit style workouts. We have also played basketball together, but one of my favorite activities has been playing pickleball.
NB: We've been hiking, going on lots of walks, going for runs around the neighborhood, paddle boarding, going on picnics, yoga. My favorite so far has been hiking, yoga and paddle boarding.
Q: What have been some of your favorite memories of quarantining together this summer?
JB: Honestly, anytime there was a little activity during the day, it would always make it a great day, like going on walks, hikes or cooking together. In general though, quarantining together could not have been any better. One of my favorite moments would be when we did smores during the sunset in the mountains.
NB: Some of my favorite memories from quarantine have been the random dance parties we would do late at night. A couple of times after the day was done, we all just wanted to hang out a bit together and we would turn up the speaker and just dance for hours until we were exhausted and ready for bed.
Q: Has it been hard being away from home during this time?
JB: It definitely has been hard to not see my family during that time, but the best conditions to quarantine was in Utah. I was able to spend it with great friends and FaceTime also really helped me to get through it.
NB: It has been really hard being away from home for such a long time and also just not knowing when I'll be able to go home next. I really miss my family and getting to see them all the time is something I definitely took for granted growing up. What has made it easier though has been living with my teammates. We have all been finding a lot to do that has taken my mind off being homesick.
Q: What are you most excited about returning to campus and to the facilities?
JB: I am excited to get back my routine and to be in an actual gym. I am excited to get back at it where we left it before everything went down.
NB: What I am most excited for is to be able to actually play basketball with my team. I miss having 10 people on a court and being able to really play five-on-five.
Q: What have you been doing to stay safe and healthy this summer?
JB: We have been social distancing and just always hanging out together in our house. We also made sure to wear masks, use plenty of sanitizer and wash our hands as soon as we would get home.
NB: To stay safe and healthy, we have mostly been staying in our house doing fun things or being out in nature away from the public. When we do go into the public, we are careful about how often we go to grocery stores and places that people go to. We have been very aware of who we have seen or where we have gone and are constantly washing our hands or changing our clothes when we come back from not being in the house.
Players Mentioned
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