Published on Oct. 23, 2024

Updated on Oct. 24, 2024

At the intersection of academics and athletics, Janessa Duce stands as a shining example of what it means to embody Mizzou Excellence. A senior in The Trulaske College of Business, Duce’s story shows the balance between the rigorous demands of academics and involvement in sports. 

For the past two years, Duce has played a pivotal role on MU’s Quadball Team, but her journey is about more than just the game. In October, she took her passion for Quadball to the world stage, representing the United States in the Quadball Nations’ Cup II in Salou, Spain, all while continuing her studies at Mizzou.

“Playing on the Quadball team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career,” Duce shared. “The sense of camaraderie and teamwork it builds is incredible, but it’s also taught me the importance of discipline. Managing my time between practice, games and academics is definitely a challenge, but it’s one that has pushed me to grow both as an athlete and a student.”

Duce learned about Quadball during Welcome Week tabling when she and her roommate stumbled upon the team’s table. Within a month, she discovered a dedicated community and stepped away from other clubs and activities to fully commit to Quadball. 

Balance and perseverance 

With practices, training sessions at MizzouRec and team commitments often requiring long hours, Duce has developed a unique rhythm that allows her to maintain focus in the classroom while giving her all on the field.  

“I’ve always done sports and school together. I balance it by meticulously planning every hour of every day to make sure I have enough time for each. My studies are really important to me, and I’ve learned how to prioritize playing on the team and my school work” 

Duce’s experience embodies Mizzou Excellence—a holistic commitment to fostering success across all areas of student life including academic achievement,  personal growth, and community engagement. The university’s support for students like Duce reflects its broader mission of helping students reach their full potential, no matter where their passions lie.  

“Mizzou has a great support system in place, even if I wasn’t on the team. They offer tutors for difficult classes and connect you with programs that really help. I was part of Transfer Experience & Advising Mentors (TEAM) and they helped me form study groups, especially for tough classes like accounting and business law. On top of that, the community and activities we do outside of sports, like with the Quadball team, have been huge for me. It helps me take my mind off school and not just focus on ‘workout, school, workout, school,’ which is what I’d normally do.”   

An encouraging word 

Duce emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for students considering Club Sports at Mizzou.  

“I always ask, how much time do you want to have outside of school? What is your commitment like? Have you ever done a sport before?” she explains.  

She notes that for those new to Mizzou Club Sports, joining a team can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s a fantastic way to integrate into campus life. 

“The bonds formed with teammates through shared experiences, like intense games create a unique sense of community. It’s about relying on other people, rather than just yourself, to get through academics and different scholarly activities.” 

She encourages prospective Club Sports participants to consider their availability and willingness to commit. Students looking to broaden their campus involvement can explore opportunities through Mizzou Club Sports, offering a chance to stay active and engaged in a variety of recreational activities while building teamwork and leadership skills. 

To Spain and back!  

As Duce prepared for the Quadball Nations’ Cup II in Spain, she focused on refining her skills beyond just strength training. 

 “I’ve been working more on my sprinting and agility,” she shares. Understanding that competing on an international stage requires a well-rounded approach, she emphasized the importance of studying Quadball game film. 

In these film sessions, Duce and her teammates analyze the playing styles of different countries. This preparation is crucial for her as she gears up to represent the United States.  

“I’m really proud to represent Mizzou on the world stage,” she said. “I think it shows that you don’t have to choose between your passions—you can do both.”  

Through her commitment to both her education and her sport, she has become a role model for students, proving that success in one area doesn’t have to come at the expense of another. It’s this balance—between the academic and the athletic, between passion and perseverance—that truly displays Mizzou Excellence.  

Learn how you can get involved in Club sports at Mizzou here.