WASHINGTON (May 17, 2023) – Howard University Department of Athletics continued its Senior Spotlight series, featuring Northeast Conference (NEC) Champion and recent graduate
Mark-Anthony Beckles (Chaguanas, Trinidad & Tobago), who was interview by journalism major rising senior
Badi Cross.
Q: How did you get into swimming?
A: I learned to swim when I was eight years old, but I really got into the competitive scene when I was 10 years old and I like competing. It gave me an opportunity to make national teams. I just fell in love with going to those meets, seeing different cultures and competing, which is something I already loved.
Q: When did you know you could compete at the Division I level?
A: I started making national teams at a young age and I was like, "Okay, I must have some kind of skills to be at this level." To be honest, I was not focused on that because I did not know there was Division I swimming.
Somebody exposed me to swimming in America, which is one of the most prominent places to compete in the sport because there's so much competition all the time.
Q: What made you come to Howard?
A: My coach back home is alum where he swam and coached. So, being back home training with him really pushed me. He gave me that HBCU dream.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you received at Howard?
A: Funny enough, it was from an Uber driver during my freshman year (lol). She told me not to get into a relationship, stay single. That is not the case right now, but at that point, I really understood what she said. Fall in love with yourself before you fall in love with anybody else.
Q: How has the swim program helped you outside of Burr?
A: It taught me about the real world, chasing a dream. You have a goal in and out of the pool, so you have to stay on top of it.
Also, it teaches you about time management and discipline. As long as you are willing to learn, you will be fine in life.
Q: What is your fondest memory at Howard?
A: My junior year where I stayed in Towers alone throughout the Christmas Break. I did not go back to Trinidad because it was a nine-hour flight, I was not feeling that (lol). At that point in my life, I needed to be alone and really discover things about myself. It taught me about time management. It is very powerful what you can achieve alone.
Q: Who is someone you leaned on at Howard during your career?
A: Friends. The team. Basically, my boys, all the guys.
Special shoutout to my boy
Miles Simon, that is my roommate, teammate and best friend. That is my boy.
My girlfriend, Aaliyah, as well. I love her.
Family. When I came here, I was so happy about coming to the states. But the people that were able to give me this experience was my parents; they bent their backs to get me here.
Q: What will you miss the most about Howard?
A: I am going to miss morning practices with my teammates because we would go to the cafeteria for breakfast after training. We would eat, laugh and cry together to start our days.
Q: What advice do you have for future Bison?
A: Be patient because you might not see results from the jump. So, just be patient and have fun.
Also, get friends outside of athletics and have fun with the college experience because you get a sense of what it is to be a different kind of college student. And that in itself is an experience.
Q: Plans post-grad?
A: I am looking at grad school or getting a job. I have a couple of job opportunities lined up, thank God. So, those are two options right now.
I am going to keep swimming because I am training for Paris next year (2024 Summer Olympics).
About Beckles:
- Personal:
- Hometown: Chaguanas, Trinidad & Tobago
- Academic Achievements at Howard:
- MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team
- CCSA Academic Honor Roll
- Athletic Achievements at Howard:
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
