On March 13th, Aquinas' spring sports seasons were cancelled by the conference and eventually the national office. This news brought an abrupt end to the athletic year and unfortunately to the senior seasons of many athletes across the country, including our own Saints. Some AQ teams were able to begin their spring competition and were a few weeks into their 2020 seasons, while others had yet to really begin. 
 
More than 60 AQ senior student-athletes were participating in their spring seasons and due to the cancellation, will not have the chance to be celebrated and honored during a traditional 'Senior Day' ceremony.
 
We wanted to remedy that in a small way and give our seniors the opportunity to be celebrated and honored with a 'Senior Salute'. Over the next few weeks, our senior student-athletes will discuss some of their favorite moments, their future plans, and be celebrated for their academic and athletic careers here at Aquinas. 
 
Thank you, seniors.
 
Name: Mia Loya
 
Hometown: Oak Lawn, Illinois
 
Years at AQ: 2016-2020
 
Major(s) & Minor(s): Clinical Exercise Science
 
Favorite AQ athletic memory: All the trips to Arizona were amazing, being able to play with mountains behind you was so much fun
 
Favorite AQ non-athletic memory: I have so many fun memories from Aquinas like meeting my best friend Gigi, living in an-on campus house with 8 other girls, many trips to Spoonlickers and meeting so many life long friends
 
Post-graduation plans: Physical therapy school
 
Best piece of advice for teammates: Make the most of your time at Aquinas because it goes by so fast

Other comments: I'd like to thank my family for being there for me! Thanks to my mom and dad for always taking me to all those practices, pitching lessons and softball tournaments all over the place. Thanks for always cheering me on and always being there for me in so many other ways outside of softball. You both always helped me in any way I needed and I don't know where I'd be without you guys. Thanks to my brother for always rooting for me and being a role model for me. Thanks to my aunts, uncles, and cousins who came to visit and came to watch my games, it meant the world to me. Thanks to all my grandparents for cheering me on and being there for me always. I'm so grateful for all my family, love you guys!

Coaches Quote: "Mia completes her career as the top AQ pitcher all time in winning percentage with 25 or more decisions. Her outstanding overall record of 25-7 sets the new mark at .781. She solidified her place in AQ history last season with her 11-1 effort, giving her the top spot in a single season as well. Mia's crafty style was exciting to watch and her ability to hit spots made us coaches calling pitches look really good!" - Head coach Brad Koch