Sport(s) Played: Cross Country
Q1: Why did you choose the sport(s) that you play?
I chose to run XC in middle school because my older brother, Ethan, ran in high school and my closest friends were doing it as well. I also heard how strong the team culture is and I was excited to continue running and be a part of that team.
Q2: What is your favorite Madeira sports memory?
My favorite XC memory is the long-run workouts we did on the Loveland Bike Trail each Saturday morning. We would listen to music while running 9 miles on the beautiful path with people walking and leaves falling. Sometimes we would even get shaved ice afterward.
Q3: How do you get motivated to practice each and every day?
I get motivated to see my friends and catch up with them after a long school day. I also think about the post-season goals and how fun it is to succeed with my teammates.
Q4: What superpower do you wish you had and how would you use it?
I wish I had the power of teleportation to transport straight to the finish line. Just kidding–super-speed, of course.
Q5: Which athlete(s) would you like to have dinner with and what would you talk about?
I would have dinner with Lorena Ramírez–an ultra-marathon runner and a part of the Rarámuri ethnic group. I would ask about her life growing up and share how inspiring she is as a representation of Indigenous distance runners.
Q6: What makes a great teammate?
A great teammate listens to and understands those around them. By encouraging each other and ensuring everyone knows their unique value, the team is more likely to succeed together.
Q7: What is on your pre-game playlist?
I love listening to upbeat 2000s music, especially “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna.
Q8: What is the funniest thing that you have seen or happened to you in a practice or game?
We ran at Saturday Night Lights in Centerville where the whole course was essentially a mud pit due to the pouring rain. The runners would slide down the steep downhill or even accidentally slip down it and the crowd would erupt in cheers every time.
Q9: What is next after you graduate?
I’m currently applying to colleges, and while I am unsure of where I would like to attend or my specific career, I know I am majoring in Business and minoring in Spanish.
Q10: What advice would you give an 8th-grade athlete as they move on to high school sports?
Embrace it all–the fun, the hard, and the wins and losses. Enjoy the experience with your teammates and don’t be afraid to try something new!