Sport: Cross-country
Class: 2021
Age: 14
Claim to fame: I hold the school record in cross-country as a freshman. And my brother Sam and I both hold the records for the fastest freshmen in school history: 16:59 and 17:35.
Bet you didn’t know: I was a competitive swimmer from ages 8-13, then got a taste of the potential I had in running and stuck with it.
Toughest opponent/why: I am my toughest opponent because I am always striving to become better than the old me. If I can continue to beat myself then who else will?
Favorite book: The Divergent trilogy
Favorite movie: My favorite movie used to be Edward Scissorhands. I was a strange child.
Favorite TV show: Malcolm in the Middle
Favorite musical artist/song: Too Dumb to Die by Green Day, it always gets stuck in my head during hard workouts.
Favorite pro athlete/why: Dawit Seyaum is my favorite professional runner because her race strategy is never the same. She’s unpredictable and scary fast; it’s fun to try and predict her next tactical move in a race.
Favorite smell: Cinn-a-bon
Favorite home-cooked meal: Bangers and mash
Game-day rituals: I always have pineapple pizza the night before a race, and a bowl of oatmeal the morning of. I typically go through my race plan in my head on the bus, imagining some possible race scenarios. My teammates and I always pray before the race so that God will give us strength and endurance to do our best. Then the gun goes off and the fun begins.
Person who would play me in a movie/why: Myself, because no one is a better me than me.
Words you live by: “I know God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run I feel his pleasure.” — Eric Liddell
Biggest influence/why: Alexi Pappas has been a huge inspiration to me for a long time. She is living proof that you can be more than just an athlete, as she is a writer and actress.
I am most annoyed by: People who say ELO is better than Queen — it annoys me so much because they are flat out wrong.
You can’t live without: Running. There is no way I could live without it. I study it (probably too much). It’s my addiction and obsession.
Most embarrassing moment: It’s impossible for me to pick a favorite.
In 10 years, I’ll be: Hopefully still be running. In the words of our team, “Running is funning!”
Best thing about cross-country: I’ve always seen running as an air sport as opposed to a ground sport. It feels like flying. When I run, I just want to go fast. Nothing can beat that feeling.
Worst thing about cross-country: The worst thing about running (for everyone, let’s be honest) is forgetting to use the bathroom beforehand. It’s not fun being two miles into a long run and having to use the bathroom already.
Vegetable I just won’t eat: Asparagus. It gets caught in my braces and isn’t pretty.
Favorite junk food: Ice cream
Favorite school subject: If study hall counts as a subject, it’s by far my favorite because that’s when I can stalk people on Milesplit.
Last DVD or video game I bought: Allegiant from the Divergent series. The movie was terrible (especially when compared to the book) and I do not recommend. Spoiler Alert: Tris doesn’t die in the movie version.
Person whose brain you’d like to pick: I’d love to pick God’s brain because he knows everything and I would love to try to comprehend what that’s like.
When I’m bored, I like to: Knit hats like my grandma. I love you grandma.
On your bedroom walls: Paint.
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