Scholar Stories: Oliveros is Speedy on the Field and in the Classroom

Scholar Stories: Oliveros is Speedy on the Field and in the Classroom

Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Absopure.

By Maria Patton

Pilar Oliveros has been a strong force in the backfield for the University of Michigan field hockey team ever since she came to Ann Arbor midway through the 2020-21 school year.

Oliveros is an international student from Uruguay. Her field hockey career began when she was just 6 years old. Her love for and extensive background in the sport, and her desire for a career in engineering, have all driven Oliveros to continue her career in field hockey as a Wolverine. Despite the tough Michigan winters, she is happy with her decision to come here.

“I visited a couple other places, but when I came here, just like the team and knowing that Michigan was going to be so good academically, especially because I’m doing engineering and Michigan has such a strong program, it was because of that,” said Oliveros.

Oliveros is all about moving effectively and efficiently, both on and off the field. She is working toward a degree in industrial and operational engineering and business. Her degree in engineering will allow her to pursue many different careers, from working in the automotive industry, to making the lines in amusement parks move faster. But her minor in business is driving her toward a career that will help accelerate the operations of the corporate world.

“I feel like I will do something like retail, where I could help companies to deliver faster and make the customers happier with their purchase,” she said.

Oliveros is no stranger to competing at the high level that Michigan’s field hockey team plays at. She helped Uruguay qualify for the Junior World Cup for the first time in March. Her experiences on both Uruguay’s national team and the Wolverines have helped prepare her for the other. Playing for Uruguay has been beneficial for the mental approach toward her game. Practicing and playing daily at U-M allows Oliveros to build her endurance for when she competes.

“Playing internationally has (helped) me be poised with the ball and I don’t really get nervous before the games,” she said. “It’s like I’m in the game, but I’m not worrying about the game.”

Playing field…