TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

You are a chemistry major with a 3.834 GPA who was recently named to the MAC’s All-Academic team and you were also named to the MAC's Academic Cross Country team in the fall semester. How hard is it to balance school while being a member of the only athletic team that doesn’t have a true off- season?

It’s been difficult especially now that my classes are more involved. I’ve learned that getting into a routine and saving time to relax and have some fun has helped me to become a successful student-athlete.

During the cross-country season, you earned All-Northeast honors after finishing 18th in a field of 228 runners at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships. How much confidence does that give you heading into the outdoor season?

My cross country season definitely gave me more confidence coming into the track seasons. I look back on it at the big meets especially and I think to myself that I’ve beat some of the top runners in the Northeast which gives me an extra boost over my competitors.

How has your coach, Vicki Mitchell-- a 10-time All-American and a seven-time NCAA cross country/track and field national champion-- been able to help you develop into such a successful runner?

Coach really knows her stuff. Knowing her successful background allows me to have faith and trust in her training regimen. I know she wants me to be the best that I can be and I think believing in your coach is one of the most important things in becoming successful in your sport.

Out of the three seasons (cross-country, indoor and outdoor) you run for the Bulls, which is your favorite and why?

I enjoy cross country significantly more than the track seasons. I like the feeling of running in open spaces and challenging myself over different elements. I like the team aspect in cross country more than track; track is more of an independent sport than cross country. The meets are also shorter which is a plus.

How difficult is it go from running 5K cross country races to running 800 -meter races for indoor and outdoor track?

It’s not so bad. After cross country I come into the track seasons with a lot of base or endurance and I feel ready and excited to race the shorter distances. My training changes quite a bit during track because I do shorter but faster paced workouts versus the longer slower paced workouts in cross country.

What is the hardest pat of a race - the beginning, the middle or the end?

I’d say the middle because that’s the time that I might “fall asleep” as runners refer to it. That’s when I might lose focus, get off my pace, or start to doubt my abilities. I think in order to be a successful athlete, you have to stay positive and focused during the entire competition, and that will come with more experience.

In terms of outdoor track, as your season progresses towards the MAC championships, how does your training change?

I run less total mileage and my workouts get shorter yet faster. This strategy is to keep us fresh because we’re not running as much, but sharp because we’re doing a lot more speed work.

Last spring as a freshman, you had the chance to train with Jenny Koeppel, the 2004 MAC Cross Country Runner of the Year. How much did it help having someone as experienced as her as a teammate?

She's a great leader and a very talented runner. It was inspiring to run with her, Jen Jezorski, and Kate Kohout, who is still my teammate, because they had a lot of experience at being top competitors, they were good students, and had awesome personalities. They're just great people to be around.

According to your player bio, you are the cousin of current U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins. Do you come from a pretty political background and do you closely follow politics?

I don’t think we’re very political; he’s really the only link we have to politics. Unfortunately I only get into politics when Election Day approaches, but I just pay a little more attention to what’s on TV.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB student-athlete?

I think being a member of the winning Distance Medley Relay at the MAC indoor meet last year is my favorite, but a close second is the MAC cross country meet this past season where I placed second.