Excellence On and Off the Course: Andrea Maidan Makes PUC History
Story by Kenneth Perez
Andrea Maidan made history this season for the Pioneers, becoming the first female student-athlete in Pacific Union College history to earn the prestigious Dr. Jim Davies Scholar Athlete of the Year award. The honor is bestowed upon one exceptional student-athlete whose academic, community, and athletic achievements stand out among those who have completed their degrees and athletic careers within the CAL-PAC.
The Biology major combined elite performance in the classroom and on the course, finishing the year with a 3.9 GPA while also claiming the CAL-PAC Women's Cross Country individual title and earning CAL-PAC Runner of the Year honors. Although this was Andrea's only season competing in the conference, her impact on the program was immediate and historic.
When Andrea first learned she had won the award, the moment came as a complete surprise.
"Shock and excitement were my immediate reactions," Maidan said. "I did not know about this award or that I was nominated for it. However, I am proud that this award brings PUC in the spotlight as an excellent academic and athletic institution."
While the accomplishments and awards stand out, Andrea says the most meaningful part of her time at PUC came through the relationships she built during her four years on campus.
"Connections with peers and professors are my greatest achievements," Maidan said. "To me, an award matters much less compared to the meaningful friendships and important memories you can make in your life."
Andrea's success also continues a remarkable stretch for PUC Athletics, as the Pioneers have now earned a CAL-PAC individual award in three consecutive years. She believes the achievement speaks to the culture surrounding the department and the people involved in helping athletes succeed.
"I believe this demonstrates the quality of the athletics program at PUC," Maidan said. "Coaches who push athletes to the best of their abilities, teammates who encourage you, and resources to aid in any way are part of this program. It is incredibly rewarding to help PUC secure a third straight individual award."
Even with rising expectations throughout the season, Andrea remained grounded in both her mindset and faith.
"I don't dwell on the expectations of others," Maidan said. "I know God's path is clear. If I focus on His expectations, then everything else will fall into place."
That same mentality helped her balance the demands of being both a high-level student and athlete. Andrea explained that the discipline she developed academically translated directly into her training and competition.
"I am highly motivated in academics and simply love to learn new and challenging topics," Maidan said. "I believe this translates to my performance in that I like a good challenge. Every morning practice with coach Pablo was not easy in the least. However, my determination to succeed and mindset to make every difficult run enjoyable helped me stay motivated even when I didn't want to."
Andrea also hopes her accomplishment helps shine a larger spotlight on PUC's Cross Country program and the opportunities available within Pioneer Athletics.
"First, I hope the PUC XC team gets much more attention," Maidan said. "This team is small but mighty and often times gets overlooked. Second, I hope this accomplishment brings positive attention to PUC, not only as a school that strives for athletic performance, but also as a school that is built on academic excellence."
Being the first female PUC athlete to ever receive the award added another layer of significance to the moment.
"This award signifies that my resilience and workmanship have been worth it these past four years," Maidan said. "It shows that though it is tough to keep atop of academics, the pursuit of getting a higher education is rewarding."
Following graduation, Andrea plans to attend the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, where she hopes to continue carrying forward the same discipline, resilience, and work ethic that defined her time as a Pioneer.
For PUC Athletics, Andrea Maidan's season will be remembered as far more than just a collection of awards and accomplishments. It was a season that represented excellence in competition, commitment in the classroom, and the continued growth of a program building something special.