SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Female athletes from around the area packed Saint Mary’s Athletic Center to participate in the college’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day clinic.

Young athletes got to pick four of the colleges nine varsity women’s sports and learn from the student-athletes and coaches.

Head cross country coach Jackie Bauters says the event is a great way for younger athletes to find a sport they love.

“A night like this is a really great opportunity for girls to, like, get exposure to a sport that they might not otherwise try for several years because of their age or because they’re a little intimidated by it, right? And they get this taste of that was really fun, and I really want to explore that,” Bauters said.

Valentina Rubio, a senior lacrosse player, adding that training in multiple sports has a big impact on younger athletes as they continue their journey.

“You can learn so many different things in each sport that you can apply to the sport that you do love, and just become a really diverse and like well rounded player, which I think is awesome, and it’s something that we’re teaching girls at a young age as well and hopefully that carries on through high school and college,” Rubio said.

Erin Monnier is a sophomore stunt athlete.

The program is in its first year at Saint Mary’s and is a sport that incorporates skills derived from cheerleading

Monnier says giving back to younger female athletes is an experience raises up the next generation.

“Always empower the girls because of everything going on in the world and all around the time, women, we always have to stick together and just stay strong, because we are very strong, stronger than anybody knows, and we can do anything we put our minds to,” Monnier said.

For those who were unable to attend the clinic. Saint Mary’s hosts a sports exploration camp for younger female athletes in June.