Olivia Pakula
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Major: Psychology
Team: Equestrian
 
When did you start riding? 
As early as I can remember!
 
Did anyone in your family ride? 
Nope
 
What is your favorite childhood memory? 
Winning my first national championship in 2008.
 
What has been your biggest accomplishment within your riding career? 
Winning over 15 National Champion titles
 
When did you decide you wanted to ride in college? 
My Junior year in high school I found out about it and decided I wanted to do it
 
How did you decide on SMU? 
When it came to a combination of athletics and academics this was the best fit and I am looking forward to having a degree from SMU.
 
What would you say your role on the team has been? 
A teammate
 
Who is your favorite SMU horse? 
Juice
 
What is your favorite experience from being on the team?
Being able to graduate as a student-athlete 
 
What was your biggest accomplishment at SMU?
Finishing with a 3.6 GPA
 
What is your biggest take away from your SMU experience as you move into the next stage of your life?
I plan on doing more school following SMU, so I believe this was just the start if my future.
 
What advice would you give to incoming athletes about the team and college experience?
It is a lot of work to be both a student and an athlete but it is worth it in the end!
 
What do you plan on doing when you graduate? 
Continuing on with more school and ideally getting into medical school.
 
What will you miss the most about SMU?
My friends