Market: New York

Athlete: Laura Placentra (Citigroup)

The business of Wall Street represents an amazing mental and physical challenge. It’s a daily grind that requires hard work and dedication. College athletics poses similar challenges and rewards. For me, whether it has been work, sports, or academics, it’s been a joy to push my limits on all fronts. It is also a luxury for which I am very grateful.

Arriving at St. John’s University to compete in The Decathlon last year was both exciting and nerve-wracking. It was my first time competing and the daunting task of completing ten events stirred up those pesky butterflies.

After I got settled with my bib and group number, I made my way over to the tent and mingled with the other athletes. The first female competitor I met at the event was Jessica Boklan. She introduced herself, and I learned that she was neither a Wall Streeter nor a diehard athlete. She was a pediatric oncologist who wanted to compete alongside the other decathletes. As if dedicating her career to the cause wasn’t enough, she was about to take on the grueling ten events of The Decathlon as an additional challenge. At that moment, the jitters disappeared, and the real meaning of what I was doing became crystal clear. I thought about the real heroes: the children who were fighting for their lives every day and the doctors who were helping them. That was the bigger picture.

The competition was far from typical. Yes, everyone pushed himself or herself as hard as they could from start to finish. But it wasn’t the aggressive form of competition you see in high school, college, or professional sports - it was more about every competitor purely challenging themselves, and, more importantly, supporting those around them. Apart from family and friends, the biggest contingent of supporters was from Sloan Kettering. We were all athletes on a mission, and we were all on the same team.

Of course I’m excited to step onto the track this June, I’ll be excited to support, compete against, and cheer on my fellow athletes, but what’s most important is the opportunity to raise awareness and financial support for the all-too-real competition that sick children must fight every day. I know my fellow competitors share the same goal: we need to find a cure, so that children who presently don't have the luxury to do so, might one day get the chance to step onto the track, cross the field, feel their own butterflies, and compete.


Bring it,
Laura