Q&A with Kaitlyn Laorno: Balancing Sports, School, and Mental Health

Q: Can you tell us a bit about where you grew up and what schools you attended before Milbrook?

Kaitlyn: I grew up skiing at a mountain called Catamount, where I was part of their club team. In high school, I attended Milbrook, where I was involved in a variety of sports—volleyball, squash, skiing in the winter, and lacrosse in the spring. Before Milbrook, I also played volleyball and tennis in middle school, but I transitioned to squash when I got to high school.

Q: How did you manage balancing sports with academics, especially at a demanding school like Milbrook?

Kaitlyn: It was definitely a lot to handle. Milbrook has a requirement for extracurricular activities, whether it's sports or volunteering, which helped me keep things organized. Volleyball and lacrosse were easier to manage because they had set schedules. However, skiing, which was outside of school, was much harder. The long commutes and hours on the mountain made it tough to keep up with schoolwork. I often found myself doing homework between classes or late into the night.

Q: Did you ever feel like you didn’t have time to relax or just breathe with such a packed schedule?

Kaitlyn: Absolutely. During the winter, I was always on the go—playing squash, then skiing for hours, and commuting in between. I barely had time to see my friends, and I felt like I was constantly moving. By senior year, I was completely overwhelmed, so I decided to quit skiing to focus on college applications. At that point, skiing didn’t feel fun anymore; it was just one more thing to manage.

Q: How did you handle the stress and pressure of juggling everything? Did you have any support systems in place?

Kaitlyn: My friends were really supportive, checking in on me and understanding how much I had going on. My parents were great too, helping me manage my schedule and even arranging for a math tutor when I was falling behind. Unfortunately, Milbrook didn’t offer much in terms of mental health support, which would have been really helpful. I think schools could do more to offer emotional and psychological resources for students dealing with the pressures of academics and sports.

Q: Could your school have done more to support athletes and students in general?

Kaitlyn: Definitely. I think schools that encourage heavy involvement in sports should also provide more mental health resources. Maybe having a counselor who specializes in the mental health challenges of student-athletes or offering more flexibility with deadlines for athletes would make a big difference. It would have been great to have someone to talk to who wasn’t directly involved in my sports life but who understood the challenges I was facing.

Q: You had a significant injury during your junior year that impacted your skiing career. Can you tell us about that and how it affected you?

Kaitlyn: Yes, I had a pretty bad crash during the last race of the season. I didn’t realize how serious it was at first, but when I tried skiing again, I couldn’t move my arm. Turns out, I had cracked my shoulder blade. It was my first major injury, and it made me more cautious. I didn’t ski during my senior year because of the injury, and by then, I was mentally checked out as well. After the crash, I became a little more timid, which made quitting skiing feel like the right decision.

Q: How did you mentally cope with the injury and ultimately deciding to quit skiing?

Kaitlyn: To be honest, I think I was already struggling with the balance between sports and academics, so the injury didn’t hit me as hard mentally as it might have earlier in the season. By the time I injured myself, I was already feeling ready to move on. I also came to terms with the fact that I might not race again, which made quitting skiing easier. Looking back, I wish I had pushed through and kept skiing even if I wasn’t performing well, because I really did love the sport.

Q: Looking back, is there anything you would have told yourself during that time to help you cope better?

Kaitlyn: I think I would have told myself to push past the fear of racing again after the injury. I got into a mindset where I was too scared to race, and at the time, I didn’t realize it wasn’t the end of the world. I would tell myself to enjoy the sport more, even if I wasn’t at my best. It’s not always about the results; it’s about the love of the game.

Q: You’re now at Fordham University, studying political science and Spanish. How do you manage your time with such a demanding academic schedule?

Kaitlyn: I definitely make time for music and working out, but it’s not always intense exercise. I enjoy walking on the treadmill while watching TV shows—it helps me feel productive without the stress. I also make sure to take naps and give myself breaks, which helps me recharge and stay focused.

Q: Do you have a favorite way to relax, whether it’s music, TV, or something else?

Kaitlyn: I have a playlist of chill rap music that I love listening to when I need to unwind. I also enjoy comfort TV shows like The Office or Modern Family. They’re easy to watch and help me relax by letting me turn my brain off for a while.

Q: Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self, especially when it comes to sports and academics?

Kaitlyn: I would tell myself to trust my coaches more and talk to them about the stress I was feeling with deadlines and balancing everything. I put too much pressure on myself to always perform well, even in JV sports, and that added unnecessary stress. I’d definitely tell myself to relax, enjoy the process, and not focus so much on winning. The real goal is to have fun and learn from the experience.

Q: Finally, what has your experience taught you about the importance of mental health and support systems for athletes?

Kaitlyn: It’s taught me how crucial it is to have support systems outside of your sport—people who can help you cope with the stress and challenges of balancing everything. Mental health needs to be taken seriously in sports. Having the right support system, whether from friends, family, or professional resources, makes all the difference in maintaining your well-being.

Kaitlyn Laorno’s story sheds light on the unique pressures faced by student-athletes, especially those balancing intense sports schedules with academics. Her experiences emphasize the importance of mental health support, personal boundaries, and enjoying the process rather than focusing solely on outcomes. For students and athletes navigating similar challenges, Kaitlyn’s insights offer valuable advice on managing stress and maintaining a healthy balance.