Athlete of the Week; Question & Answer Lily Otu
Katie Bollinger
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
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A. I refuse to eat a Mountain Gate breakfast before a race, because the one and only time I did it ended up in the trash can. Warming up alone is something that I have to do before racing or jumping. Complaining or rejoicing about what lane we are in for the 4 x 400 with the twins and I believe in the power of prayer, so some of my teammates get together to pray before competition.
Q. How did you get into running track?
A. In intermediate school, 4th through 6th grade, we had field day and I always ran the "Monster Lap" which is about 800 meters. I won it every year. My gym teacher happened to be the high school track coach, and she kept bringing me track and field tee shirts and telling me that I had to come out for the team in middle school. So in 7th grade I stopped playing soccer and ran track.
Q. What's your favorite sports moment here at the Mount so far?
A. Definitely last year at the NEC conference meet when my 4 x 400 relay team won the indoor conference meet. It was such an incredible moment and the best part was that I got to share the win with three other girls; it was our team's greatest moment.
Q. What's an embarrassing moment you have had on the track?
A. My freshman year I was doing a cool down jog in these bright red spandex, and I was telling a story to one of my teammates, when out of nowhere, I caught a cramp in both of my calves. I dropped to the ground, and started screaming so loudly, and Eric had to come pick me up in the Gater. I never wore those spandex again.
Q. What's the best part of being on the Mount track team?
A. The best part is the people and the coaches. I have the best coaches, hands down, and the best co-ed team at the Mount. You know that quote, "Friends are the family we choose", well I just got stuck with these people, and I had no choice in the matter..
Q. What is one thing you would change about your track career here at the Mount?
A. There's not much I would change. I believe that if I wanted to change a part of my life, then I would have to regret, and I have learned valuable lessons from the choices that I have made. Never regret. I have had some great experiences, races and jumps at the Mount, some athletes have not experienced half the success I have. I have five NEC medals, two of them gold. I cannot complain, many never take home any hardware. God has blessed me with a talent and teammates who I would not trade for anything in the world.
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