What made you start running cross country/track and field?
    Running was always an outlet for me; it was my way to escape my stress. I also really enjoyed running with a team and having fun with my friends. It's just always been really enjoyable for me. 

What made you truly fall in love with/stick with the cross country and track?
    The competitive aspect of it for me always gave me a drive. I've been running since 4th grade, and so it's always been a part of my life, and I honestly think it would mess up my life if I weren't running. Running has also always kept me very disciplined, which is why I stick with it.

Who is your biggest inspiration overall or biggest inspiration within your sport?
    Honestly, my inspirations change all the time. Somebody who was always on top of it for me is my mom. She was always at every single race before college, and I can always go to her when I have a bad race. She's just always been there for me. 

If you could relive one moment in your sport over again, what would it be and why?
    In college, I would want to relive the moment when my 4x800 team won the America East Conference meet, even though we weren't expected to finish in the top 3. That feeling of winning has kept me going through my junior and senior years.
In cross country, the first time I broke 20 in my junior year, which showed me I actually had potential to run in college.

If you didn't run cross country or do track, what sport would you play?
    My second love was always dance. I danced in middle and high school so that I could get back to it. 

What is it like participating in a very uncommon event (steeplechase)?
    It takes a lot of mental strength. I gave up my spring break last year to learn. It's been difficult not having people to practice with. It just takes a lot of practice. I have to have the mindset that it's okay to practice alone. 

How do you train differently for track and cross country?
    A little bit. In cross-country, I do a lot more mileage —between 50 and 60 miles a week. Track I usually run about 50 miles a week. Workout-wise, cross-country is more endurance-based, while track is more speed-focused. 

What made you decide to go to UMBC?
    I didn't really know where I wanted to go; all I knew was that I didn't want a huge school. I decided to come to UMBC because the coach reached out to me, I visited, and everyone was very nice, and I fell in love. 

What is it like to be a student-athlete and also have an internship as a student-teacher?
    Honestly, it isn't easy. It goes back to being very disciplined and driven. I don't go to any practices with my team besides Friday and Sunday. Running is tough to do on your own, so that has been difficult. It's a lot of back and forth from school and my student teaching school. I usually can practice after my internship. I get exhausted, but I tell myself it's all gonna be worth it. 

Of your accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
    Going D1 is definitely a nice accomplishment. I also won the 4x800. Also, doing steeplechase, which was very out of my comfort zone, and then placing at conferences where I dropped 30 seconds. It was only my third time racing it, so that was a big accomplishment.