Emma Albano’s talent, faith lead her to Notre Dame

For now, Emma Albano is enjoying her current vocation, which is athletics. She’s a three-sport star for Bishop England High School, competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She’s won state championships in the shot put and discus, and favorite to repeat as gold medalist in the discus – if and when the high school athletic season resumes after being disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak.

After that, it’s on to South Bend, Indiana, to compete for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s track team.

But it’s her proposed vocation that really jumps out when you look at her long list of accomplishments – and dreams. Albano, who should finish ranked in the top three of her senior class, plans for a future in the medical field. She’s focused on biochemistry and neuroscience.

“Specifically, I hope to become a pediatric neurologist or oncologist,” said Albano, who recently signed a scholarship to compete for the Fighting Irish. “I want to study brain tumors and be able to help kids see the positive light. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a smile on a kid’s face when you know you’ve made a difference in his life. It’s better than any feeling I could get throwing a discus or winning a state championship.”

Albano arrived on the BE campus about the same time her older brother, Leo, was establishing himself as one of the school’s greatest three-sport athletes. He was all-state in baseball, basketball and football, setting a handful of school records on the gridiron. He was a preferred walk-on for the Fighting Irish football team and is preparing for his third season as a receiver.

While parents Leo and Wendy’s hearts may have been with the Clemson Tigers, their souls have to be with Notre Dame. Leo, a devout Catholic, grew up in Chicago and spent many a fall Saturday rooting for the Fighting Irish. Now, the family is a pipeline to South Bend.

“There was never really any competition between Notre Dame and another school,” Emma Albano said. “I’ve known since the moment I stepped on campus when we were up there for a tour with Leo that I wanted to go there. Being able to incorporate and expand my faith came as a top priority in my decision. I even knew I wanted to be there before Leo decided. The opportunity to continue to participate in the sport I love only came as another blessing.”

Albano didn’t compete in track and field until she was in high school. But she quickly made a name for herself. Last May, she finished second in the shot and turned in a national elite “silver” performance in the discus with a heave of 129-feet, 6 inches to lead the team to the Class AAA state championship.

At college her time will be split between academics and getting stronger at track. She’s never been able to focus more than three months on a single sport, so she is looking forward to dedicating all her effort toward running.

She is also glad to be reuniting with her older brother in South Bend.

“I am so excited to go to school with him,” she said. “He doesn’t even know what’s coming. He’s been gone up there for two years, so we have a lot of time to make up. I know he supports me in everything I do and I’m excited to have someone to lean on if I need anything at all when I’m up there — mostly all his sweatshirts because I will freeze.”