Ever run a timed mile in gym? Kinda sucked, didn't it? Everything's great for a while, and then suddenly you're out of breath, there's a stitch in your side, and your gym coach is yelling at you to run faster, it's the last lap.
Not too fun, really.
Now imagine that you're back in middle school, magically reliving the experience. Except instead of one mile, you're now running roughly eight? And instead of your classmates, you're competing against a swarm of faceless bodies who don't know, or care, about you in the least. And instead of your coach, there are hundreds of screaming fans, lining the raceway on either side. Doesn't sound like too much fun, does it?
It does to Emily Kroshus.
Kroshus, a junior here at Princeton, has been running competitively for most of her adult life, and to her, the experience described above is an average Saturday. Since ninth grade in high school, when she joined her area track club, to her most recent season as a member of the Tiger cross-country team, running has been a constant presence in Kroshus' life.
A large part of this involvement is because, frankly, she's really good at it. As a freshman at Western Canada High School in Canada, she ran 1500 meters in four minutes, 40 seconds in her first track meet on the team. She made the junior national team each year in high school, and as a senior was invited to participate in the U.S. National Scholastic Championships, where she won the mile and two-mile races with times of 4:46 and 10:09, respectively.
"In high school everything I did was focused on running," said Kroshus. "I'd do more than 100 miles a week. I'm a very extreme person, I want to work harder than everyone else. I want to know starting a race that I've given myself every chance to win."
And win she has. A highly sought-after recruit after her substantial high school accomplishments, Kroshus had narrowed her choices down to either Princeton or Stanford, but eventually chose Princeton because she wanted to concentrate a little less on running and more on living a normal college life. Stanford's program, one of the top ones in the nation, would have demanded four more years of the exhausting regimen Kroshus had already put herself through in high school, and she wasn't sure she really wanted that. In addition, there would be the added pressure of maintaining her scholarship.
"That's what I love about [Princeton], Kroshus said. "I was really lucky not to get hurt in high school, but when it happened here it wasn't like it would have been [at Stanford.] I still have the same goals, and maybe my [personal records] would be a little better over there, but I'm really confident I made the right decision."
Kroshus arrived on campus as a much-touted freshman, and was actually named athlete of the week by the 'Prince' after her first cross-country meet. But then she suffered a stress fracture, and afterwards had mono, and soon most of her freshman year was behind her. Sophomore year was better, but it wasn't until fairly recently that Kroshus has managed to get back to a level at which she felt comfortable. In the most recent race, at Pre-Nationals, Kroshus won one of the two individual at-large spots in the country, allowing her to compete in Nationals.
"It takes you a while to put things together and learn to make good decisions," Kroshus said. "But I'm so glad I came here to learn how to do that. Last year I went to Nationals and wasn't prepared and had a really bad race. I really feel strong this year, I really want to finish All-American."
That would entail finishing in the top twenty-five at the meet, a daunting, but certainly possible, task. Were Kroshus to continue doing well, she entertains ambitions of training for the marathon and making the 2008 Olympic team. And even further down the line, she'd like to go into consulting and earn the money to own her own business. But for now, Emily Kroshus is content to continue training, working, and just participating in the regular events of collegiate life here at Princeton.
"I used to really get stressed out about races," Kroshus said. "Now I just try to enjoy it, enjoy the challenge. For everything in life, really."
Read More
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.