Students Energy Powers Research, Athletics - Video
April 9, 2013
By Preslie Hirsch, SDA Digital Communications Intern
“How does she do it?”
It’s what many people wonder when they hear about Natasa Vulic. She strives for success, and doesn’t stop there.
She currently has a 4.0 GPA in the Barrett, The Honors College. She finished her undergraduate degree in December with a double-major in Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability, and began graduate school this spring semester. She’s tutored students on campus for four years in science and math. She was born in Sarajevo, living in the area during the Bosnian-War Conflict. Oh, and she’s an accomplished track and cross-country athlete at ASU. Yes, she really exists. And she has strategies we could all use to excel in several areas of life.
Let’s start from the beginning. Born in Sarajevo, Vulic was just two-and-a-half years old when the civil war broke out amongst former Yugoslavia. Forced to flee the area, her family escaped to Serbia and lived there as refugees for ten years.
In search of a better life, Vulic’s immediate family applied to come to the United States. Four years later, they were finally granted the opportunity. With family members spread across the United States as a result of escaping the war, Phoenix happened to have some familiar faces.
It’s easy to imagine there are great differences between the two communities. The city Vulic grew up in had a population of 3,500, while Phoenix tops a million and Vulic was quick to point out a major culture-shock many Arizonan’s may not even consider.
“There’s not that many people on the streets walking around. Neighborhoods are alienated; I don’t really know my neighborhood…not knowing who was around me was one of the biggest surprises,” Vulic said. “Where I grew up, it was really tight-knit and everybody knew each other. Phoenix, people are distance from each other and there isn’t much interaction.”
In establishing a new life in the Valley of the Sun as a high school freshman, Vulic joined the cross country team.
“As much of a challenge and pain it was, I found it very satisfying being a part of a team and running until I can’t run anymore. I was pretty determined, and I felt even though I didn’t have much skill, it was something if I work hard at I would get something out of it,” Vulic said. “When things get tough, I just push through it. And that’s the kind of mentality the sport requires.”
With her cross country mindset, Vulic took her endurance into track season at Mountain Pointe High School and went on to earn four letters and all-state honors.
When it came time to start thinking about colleges, Vulic didn’t steer far from Moutain Pointe’s maroon and gold color scheme..
“I knew ASU had a good honors college and a really good engineering program; I really thought no need to look much further,” she said. “Academics were always a priority. When I found out ASU had a good track program too, and they were interested in inviting me as a walk-on when they realized I was coming here anyway, that was a plus. It ended up being much greater than I imagined.”
Much greater is right. Vulic has excelled in academics on the ASU campus. She double-majored in rigorous programs, and admits she’s “always been a bit of a nerd.” When she wasn’t studying or at practice, she found great reward in tutoring her peers.
“I tutored math and physics for four years, I still do private tutoring. It helped me out a lot too, always refreshing on the different concepts. You tend to retain a lot more when you’re teaching to somebody,” Vulic said. “As much it helped other students, it really helped me too.”
Tackling studies and a job, Vulic was constantly improving on the track. She even won “Most Improved Athlete” twice in high school and twice as a Sun Devil. She placed 14th at the 2012 Pac-12 Outdoor Championships with a career-record10,000m clocked at 36:07.68. She also competed in the NCAA Preliminary round for the 5,000m and has recorded a 4:38.92 in the grueling 1,500m race.
Although those personal records mean a lot to Vulic, she considers her biggest athletic accomplishment to be more of a collaborative effot.
“Beating U of A at the dual meets last year,” she said.
After redshirting her freshman year, Vulic is wrapping up her fifth and final season as a student-athlete as she begins graduate school at ASU.
“It’s definitely bitter sweet,” Vulic said. “Track and cross country have been such a huge part of my life through high school and college. Not having that later on is definitely going to be hard, but at the same time it will be time to move on.”
As Vulic forges ahead in her graduate program at ASU, she will continue with the same disposition. .
“It’s the simple things we know we should do, actually being put into practice,” Vulic offered. “I found when I got enough sleep and ate well; I was productive enough to get everything done. When I cut back my sleep to get something done or not think about what I was eating, I would find even if I have extra time because of that I was way less productive. Having priorities and keeping myself healthy above everything else allowed me to complete everything I needed to and still remain level-headed,”
With just over a month left in the semester, Vulic hopes to end her ASU career on a high note. After overcoming seasonal sickness that postponed training early this season, she’s relying on her hard work ethic to take her to a strong finish.
“I’m starting to get back into training regularly and it’s not too late if I stay focused and determined until the end,” Vulic said. “I’m hoping to make it regional’s once again. Maybe nationals are in the future too. Finishing off on a good note would be a great way to put an end to college athletics career.”
Vulic will be working in solar power labs at ASU for the next four years, perusing her PhD. She also plans to continue to train and participate in marathons. And with her track record, nothing less is expected.