A: I raced at Princeton my senior year at an open meet in the 5K. This race is hardly run in high school, and I did not really run it very often, though I knew I would be [running it] in college. I raced here with a bunch of my future teammates and friends and did surprisingly well! It was definitely the first time I envisioned myself in black and orange, and it was so exciting to meet the whole team.
Q: Greatest highlight in sports career?
A: In high school, it would be going to Nike Team Nationals with my cross country team in Portland, Oregon, but in college it would have to be winning pre-nationals as a team in Terre Haute, Ind. It’s exciting to win races, but there’s nothing like having your best friends enjoying the same moment with you
Q: Funniest story about coach?
A: [Head coach] Peter [Farrell] always makes me laugh. My favorite is when he gives us guy advice. He always tell us to make sure we are nice to our fellow freshman boys and he tells us what to watch out for, like a good dad away from home. My favorite story is when he told us that if a guy ever used cheesy pickup lines on us like “what’s your sign?” to say, “the stop sign.”
Q: Quirkiest teammate? Why?
A: We all have our interesting habits, but I think that the quirkiest teammate has got to be [freshman] Liz Deir. She always makes me laugh with her forgetfulness and funny choices about how to plan things out. When you’re with a bunch of scheduled and timely cross country girls, it’s great to see someone so carefree and nonchalant.
Q: Embarrassing moment?
A: I can’t really think of a ridiculous, funny story, but my most classic Princeton Freshman story was on the first day of classes. I searched around McCosh (the health center) for about 15 minutes for McCosh 50 until I realized there were two locations. Why would they do that anyway? It still seems silly...
Q: Best part about being an athlete on campus?
A: I think there is a connection all the athletes share on campus together. It’s great to meet girls and guys on other teams and have that unifying factor to always talk about together. Also, my own team is my family and the people I always turn to. I love them for that and have found parts in each of the girls on my team that I admire and look up to.
Q: Worst/hardest part about being an athlete on campus?
A: As a long-distance runner, I think more than anything, it is the lack of sleep. You can’t help how much work you get and wanting to have friends and a social life is an integral part of the college experience. Yet, mix all that with a 9:30 a.m. Sunday 10-mile run, and it gets a lot tougher!
Q: Favorite thing to do when not practicing?
A: Sun tanning! But when it’s not warm enough, usually hanging out or getting coffee with friends is always time well spent.
Q: If you were a coach for a day, you would…?
A: Bring us all to the beach so we could run on my favorite boardwalk (I live in New Jersey, right near Belmar) and then take us to Surf Taco and tan for the rest of the day.
Q: Who gets the most guys/girls on the team? Who has the most game off the field?
A: With all the beautiful girls on my team! Come on now, everyone! I keep asking them for tips. I hope it starts rubbing off on me eventually!
Q: Favorite facebook.com group/application?
A: Bumper stickers ... I am obsessed with how ironically fitting they can be with every friend, and they are a time waster when I’m procrastinating — especially lolzcats.
Q: Pre-race ritual?
A: So many. I have a lucky pair of socks that have pom poms on the back, and I always have a corn muffin four hours before my race. Lastly, I always do a few cartwheels before every meet for luck.
Q; Inspiring music?
A: My pump-up song is “Tootsie Roll.” I also always listen to Queen before big meets. I listen to Incubus on trips up to meets, though, and save the pump-up music for right before.
Q; Most embarrassing song on your iPod?
A; Haha, definitely anything by the Wiggles, that childhood group that missed our generation. My niece loves them, and I wanted to learn their songs so I could sing with her. I particularly like Wags the Dog.
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