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CHARLESTON, SC – The average cadet student-athlete at The Citadel is anything but average. They're members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. They go to class. They compete against the best the Southern Conference has to offer.

And for some, that's not enough. Many cadet student-athletes take an even less traveled path by majoring in unique or tough fields of study. Some come from unique backgrounds that make the already difficult even more so. And still others contract into the armed forces and have to prepare for their careers in the military after college.

The Citadel Department of Athletics wants to recognize some of those cadet student-athletes who are not just succeeding in competition, but are doing so at a high level while overcoming some of the toughest obstacles.

The Citadel Department of Athletics wants to recognize some of those cadet student-athletes who are not just succeeding in competition, but are doing so at a high level while overcoming some of the toughest obstacles.

Rian Burris (Sr., Lexington, S.C.)
Sport: Wrestling
Major: Biology (3.79 GPA)

What is your major and why did you choose to study this?
RB – " I am a biology major. I chose to study biology because I have a strong interest in learning about the outdoor world. I enjoy hobbies such as herping (the act of searching for amphibians and reptiles), spearfishing and fossil hunting, and those have always drawn me outside."

What do you hope to do after graduation from undergrad? What would you like to do once you have exhausted your eligibility?
RB – " I am plan on sticking around The Citadel for an extra year where I will work on earning my master's in biology. I plan to continue microplastics research with Dr. Weinstein during that time and potentially after. After I finish my master's, I would like to further my education by obtaining another master's and possibly a Ph.D., but I have not planning that far ahead yet."

What are you doing to prepare for your career outside of your studies?
RB – " I completed an internship with the Department of Natural Resources as a fisheries technician earlier in my college career. Currently, I am doing microplastics research with Dr. Weinstein for research experience."

Do you hold rank in the Corps, and what are those responsibilities like on a daily basis?
RB – "I did not hold rank this last year, but did my sophomore and junior years. I decided I wanted to focus on wrestling and schoolwork for my senior year. As a senior on the wrestling team I had to set a good example in multiple facets. I had to make sure my space was clean, that I excelled in school, and that I gave my all to wrestling."

Talk a little about juggling your life in the Corps, as a cadet student-athlete and within your major.
RB – "There was hardly ever a time where I had nothing I could be doing. Workouts took up a big chunk of time every day, and competitions took up the weekends. When I wasn't at practice, I was in the classroom, and then once I got to my room for the night there was always studying to do."

What would you say has been the most difficult part of being a cadet student-athlete in your major?
RB – " The most difficult part for me was trying to keep up friendships and relationships back home with so much of my time being dedicated to wrestling and schoolwork."

What is something that you will always look back fondly on here at The Citadel?
RB – "Some of my best memories come from hanging out with the team outside of school. I made life-long friends simply because we endured the same struggles together. We all had to manage The Citadel life with the struggles of wrestling, and we were there to help each other along."

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