Pole Vaulter Pursues Christ at Cornell
by grace choi, cornell ’22
Maria Siciliano, a sophomore pole vaulter on the Cornell track and field team, has a deep faith that helps her soar in competition and as a leader on campus with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Christian Union.
Siciliano, an English major with a concentration in literary theory and a minor in comparative literature, seeks to give God glory each time she competes. In 2019, she entered the Cornell record books with vaults during the indoor and outdoor seasons. She ranks tenth all-time indoors (11-feet-11.75 inches) and seventh all-time outdoors (12-feet-2.5 inches).
“Pole vaulting is an opportunity for me to glorify the Lord and feel Jesus’ presence whether I’m training or competing,” she said. “When competing at a high level, with so many stresses and pressures coming your way, having faith in an unchanging God who will love me no matter how I compete allows me to realize what a blessing it is each and every time I step on the runway.”
Originally from West Lafayette, Indiana, Siciliano was a competitive gymnast before focusing on pole vaulting in high school. As a senior, she claimed a top spot on Indiana pole vault leaderboards, finishing third in the state meet for West Lafayette High School.
Siciliano’s work ethic and witness have made an impression on her teammates. Fellow pole vaulter Miya Kuramoto ’22 commented, “Maria is one of the most driven people I know. She puts 100 percent effort into every workout and competition, while maintaining a positive attitude even on tough days. She has definitely made me a better athlete and I am lucky to be her sophomore vault buddy!”
At Cornell, Siciliano’s extracurricular activities include serving as an Arts & Sciences Peer Advisor and as a member of the Track Leadership E-board for Alumni Connections. In the future, she would like to attend graduate school and pursue a career as an English professor, but said she is open to any path on which the Lord leads her.
Presently, that path and pursuit of the Lord has her involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Christian Union, where she is a participant in a women athletes’ Bible course. In the fall, the women studied Colossians, and, in the spring, they will go through a Bible study that examines vocations.
Christian Union Ministry Fellow Liz Thomforde stated, “Maria is a faithful leader in our athletes’ Bible course, and a constant source of encouragement to her friends in our group. Her biblical insight and willingness to share makes a huge impact on our girls and their growth in Christ.”
Siciliano is thankful for the opportunity to study the Bible and be immersed in Christian communities like FCA and Christian Union.
“Having fellowship with other Christian athletes at Cornell gives me such a great support system,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine competing without it.”
