Ohio State volleyball star Rylee Rader spent the summer traveling around Europe with her friends, having the time of her life. Rader shared pictures of her vacation in Italy and Greece, including snaps of herself posing in the ocean in a blue bikini. “Life the past few weeks has been cool!” she captioned the post. “Straight from a movie 🎬,” an admirer commented. How does Radar stay fit and focused every semester? Here’s what it takes to be a champion.
1. School Pictures
Rader took a picture with a sign saying “First Day of Fourteenth Grade” to send to her mother, something she grew up doing and continues every year. “Growing up, my mom was all about getting first day of school pictures in the morning before she drove me to school, and I still continue that tradition,” she says.
2. Hydration and Snacks
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Rader makes sure to stay hydrated and have healthy snacks on hand during the day. “[I like to have] My iPad and computer, so I can follow along with my lectures and take notes during class,” she says. “Another important essential is my headphones so I can listen to music while walking to and from class. I will always have my water bottle with me to stay hydrated during the day so I’m ready for practice in the afternoon. I will also carry around a snack in case I get hungry.”
3. Role Model
Rader loves being a role model for younger players. “It’s fun leading the younger girls and just showing them the Buckeye way,” she says. “I don’t really feel a burden. I think it’s something new and different for me, which is exciting, which I’m still trying to get used to because of all the leadership that left this year. It's something new for all of us right now… Spring, everything is new. Everyone’s getting new looks at new places, so it’s uncomfortable. But because it’s uncomfortable, we’re learning and growing up. Hopefully we make that uncomfortable into comfortable.”
4. Sushi Please
Rylee Rader/Instagram
Rader loves sushi, which is not only delicious but packed with omega-3 fatty acids. “In general, the American Heart Association recommends people without a history of heart disease eat at least two servings of fish per week (6 ounces to 8 ounces total),” say the experts at Cleveland Clinic. “If you have heart disease or high triglyceride levels, you may benefit from consuming even more omega-3 fatty acids.”
5. Sport Industry Major
Rader is interested in every aspect of the athletics world, and is studying to expand her knowledge beyond just playing volleyball. “Since I am a sport industry major, most of my classes are about sports, so they are fun and entertaining to be in,” she says. “I will even have a teammate or friend from a different sports team already in my classes to sit by, but if not, it is always fun to make a new friend.”