Estefania "Esty" Flores discovered Barton College through the AAU basketball circuit in high school which had some good connections to Barton Head Women’s Basketball Coach Wendee Saintsing.

A relationship developed when Saintsing began attending several of Flores’ games.  A tryout ensued and Flores choose Barton after seeing the heart and passion coming from the coaching staff, especially Assistant Daniel Colvin.

“I chose Barton because they made feel at home and part of a family, while ensuring that if a put the work in, I could accomplish my dreams with them,” said Flores.

Flores was a four-year standout for the Bulldogs (2007-10) who led Barton to a combined 84-28 record including a pair of Conference Carolinas Regular Season Championships (2008-09 and 2009-10) and a berth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 2007.

Flores was a four-time all-conference honoree including a three-time first-team all-league selection.  In addition, Flores was named the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year.

Flores was also named Barton College’s Female Athlete of the year twice (2008-09 and 2009-10) and was named a NCAA Division II Third-Team All-American in 2010.

Currently, Flores ranks first in steals (289), third in total points (1,769) and assists (388) and fourth in three-pointers made (159) on the school’s career lists.

Flores sites her junior year as her best season.  “That summer, I invested myself at a level I was unfamiliar with.  I worked two jobs that summer so I could afford a personal trainer.  I remember seeing a girl I used to compete against who was playing at Georgetown (University) training with a coach.  I hired him to help me achieve more.  I sacrificed pleasure all summer to work and workout.  Those results showed as I was chosen conference player of the year.  I proved to myself what I was capable of.”

After college, Flores pursued professional basketball in Puerto Rico where she was drafted No. 1 overall in 2011 by the Carolina Gigantes of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenico (BSNF).  During her first year, Flores led the Gigantes to the championship and was named league MVP.

Flores played two years in P.R. but her career was cut short due to a torn ACL.  Flores then served as an Assistant Coach for the Barton College Women’s Basketball Team before starting a career at Capitol One and entering the world of entrepreneurship.  Currently, Flores is a manager of a team at Capitol One and resides in Richmond, Va.

“The keys to my success were always building a network of support and learning from those athletes like Anthony Atkinson and Jo Denevan on what going the extra mile looks like. Being a student-athlete was not easy for me and finding a balance of school, work, practices and enjoying life was very important to discover for myself,” said Flores.

Flores, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, graduated in 2010 from Barton with a bachelor’s degree in fitness management.

“My fondest memories of Barton would have to be the relationships within the community.  This ranges from the support staff (Tony Tilley, Sheryl Neff, Ron Lievense, etc.) and the community of athletes who became like family.  My fondest memories with the team were the conditioning drills every year.  As much as I loved heading back to school after summer break, we all knew how soon we would be put through hell in hopes of walking out the other side a better person and athlete!”