When did you first take interest in cross-country?

I first took interest in cross-country when I did a local summer track program between 8th and 9th grade. A couple of my friends were there and it was a good time. That's where I learned about the XC team at high school and it immediately took my interest. My love for the sport started then and has been growing up to what it is today.

Why did you choose Plymouth State?

Plymouth State was a great combination of size and location. Outside of the town of Plymouth there isn’t much else and that’s great. An island of civilization, almost in the middle of nowhere. Academically I was undecided and the undeclared program at Plymouth helped a lot. Now I’ve got a major and two minors.

What has been your biggest motivation in the last three years?

The want to get better and my competitive drive to be the best I can be. Getting to nationals has been my goal since getting here and now that I am going it’s just gets me more motivated than ever.

Out of all the sports you could have played growing up, why did distance running stick out to you?

Growing up I didn’t do much many sports, one year of T-ball, soccer in the third grade, baseball in the 6th grade, and nothing after that until I did that summer track program the summer before high school. It stuck out to me because the team I had in High school was such a great group of people that practice became the best part of my day. I had some natural ability and I could see myself getting good at running so there was no reason to stop once I started.

What's been your best memory so far at PSU?

One of my best memories was sophomore year when the Men’s Hockey team hosted the MASCAC championship game. I had just got back from a track meet with a time that qualified me for indoor nationals, so I was already extremely happy and then I got to sit in the packed hockey arena and watch a good game. One of my best days in Plymouth.

What is your pre-meet ritual?

The night before a race I will usually eat pasta of some form or another. Breakfast is either oatmeal or toast with crunchy peanut butter and banana on top. I will listen to music on the way to a regular meet. Before big important races I have a specific playlist of songs I only listen then. The rest of the time I’m just staying calm and loose while waiting and around and through the warmup up until I get on the starting line.

If you could pick between indoor track or cross country, which would you choose?

I wouldn’t be able to choose. I like both equally for what they have in common and their differences.

What is it like to be in a sport where you're competing year-round (as both an XC and track athlete)?

That’s just a normal year-round feeling for me. I have been doing the year-round thing since freshman year of high school so I can’t imagine life any other way right now. After each season, I take about a week to two weeks off from running, during that time I don’t know what to do with myself some days.