Jessica Shultz
Senior-Cross Country

1. You’re off to a great start to the season, shaving a minute and a half off last years time at the Tommy Evans Invite two weeks ago. What did you do over the summer to prepare for your senior season?

I trained really hard and when I started to hurt or get injuries, I would take time off instead of pushing through the injury so I was able to stay healthy and run smart.

2. What are you most looking forward to in your senior season?

Just the competition, getting to a new level and improving more than I ever have before.

3. Do you have any pre meet rituals?

Not really, but if we have meets really early I wear my uniform to bed so I can sleep in longer.

4. What is the hardest part of a long race? Beginning, middle or end?

Definitely the middle. When you’re in the middle you think, I still have so much more to go. It’s just mentally the most challenging part.

5. What do you think about while you’re running at practice?

I sing songs or think about what homework I have to do. I try to organize what I have to do the rest of the day or for the rest of the week.

6. What kind of strategy do you use in your races?

I try to go out easy and pick up throughout and just finish hard. I like to stay consistent and push myself so I feel uncomfortable throughout the whole thing.

7. UB is hosting the UB Stampede Invite this weekend. What are the advantages of racing at home?

Definitely having the crowd and people you know there, like friends and family. At other schools no one really cheers for you so its nice to hear people actually cheering for you.

8. Did you always know you wanted to run cross-country at the collegiate level? And why did you choose UB to do so?

Yea, I always knew I wanted to run in college. I chose UB because it’s a great school and it had an up and coming program. It wasn’t the best program, but I saw potential in it and knew it could get there.

9. What are your career aspirations as a history major?

I actually just decided to go to Law School so I’m in the process of doing that right now.

10. What has your favorite moment been as a UB athlete?

Just the friendships. There isn’t just one moment; there have been a lot of great moments. But definitely the friendships and just the experience of the whole thing.

The “10 questions with…” feature is compiled by Erin Dengler.

09/16/2008