Athlete of the Week: Rachel Ploeger, Monroe High School

Name: Rachel Ploeger

School: Monroe

Sports: Track and cross-country

Class: 2017

Age: 16

Claim to fame: Placed seventh in the 3200 at the state track meet

Bet you didn’t know: I wake up before 7 a.m. almost every day

Toughest opponent/why? Oakwood because they are unpredictable

Favorite book: Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia

Favorite movie: Scream

Favorite TV show: CSI

Favorite musical artist: The Script

Favorite smell: Freshly cut grass

Favorite home-cooked meal: Sweet potato kale hash

Game-day rituals: I always eat a banana before my race

Person who would play me in a movie/why? I would because I have always wanted to be in a movie

Words you live by: Never back away from a challenge

Biggest influence/why? My coach because he always does the right thing and is always there for me

I am most annoyed by: Loud noises

I can’t live without: Good friends

Most embarrassing moment: I got lost during a cross-country race. Actually, I got lost during two races

In 10 years, I’ll be: Thinking about the next 10 years

Best thing about track: The feeling of finishing a race with a personal best

Worst thing about track: Most runners don’t value teamwork

Vegetable I just won’t eat: Asparagus

Favorite junk food: Veggie straws

Favorite school subject: Science

Last DVD or video game I bought: The Visit

Person whose brain you’d like to pick: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Love to trade places for a day with: My dog

When I’m bored, I like to: Read

Worst habit: Starting projects without finishing them

On your bedroom walls: A corkboard

Talent I’d most like to have: A good sense of direction

About the Author