The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed D'Anna Piro reminds teammates of Wonder Woman by finding time for not only school and gymnastics, but for ASOSU Senate, SAAC and salsa dancing. Piro, a fifth-year senior is the 11th OSU gymnast to receive four-straight Scholastic All-American honors.

One member of the Oregon State gymnastics team described her teammate as "our Wonder Woman."

The Wonder Woman on the OSU roster does not have a "Lasso of Truth," and she does not come from a Land of Amazons. Instead, senior D'Anna Piro hails from Lake Oswego and is a member of the gymnastics team. Being a student athlete is only part of what makes Piro the Beavers' Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman had her super powers; Piro's biggest power is having the ability to stop time. Stopping time is seemingly the only way that Piro can do all of the things that she does.

As a student athlete, Piro is double majoring business administration and exercise and sport science in the University Honors College. Add school to the 20 hours a week spent in the gym and Piro really might need to be able to freeze time in order to do anything else.

"I actually enjoy going to classes," Piro said. "Sitting in classes and learning I find absolutely fascinating. I like to participate in programs where I can grow and become bigger; like last year I was able to partake in something called Strengths Quest Training. It teaches people what their strengths are and that was really cool because I learned a lot about myself and learned a lot about why I have a difficulty dealing with other people. By that I have become a better person in my leadership ability."

Finding time to do other things is something that Piro has become an expert in, and she has filled in the little free time she has with other activities. Piro has somehow found time to serve as an ASOSU senator, stand as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and dance with the Rumbanana Salsa Dancing Performance Group.

"She encapsulates what a student-athlete is," junior Mandi Rodriguez said. "She has her priorities lined up - she just really gets it. When she sets her mind to something, she doesn't stop until she achieves it, and that is something that is very admirable."

Continued...

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