Athlete of the Week: Q&A with Iggy Ignaczak
Katie Bollinger
Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: Sports
Q. What are some pre-race rituals/superstitions you have?
A. I like getting to the start line way before the other runners do and just sit in my assigned lane and visualize the race in mind. Other than that, I warm up alone every meet and just vibe to what's coming through the headphones.
Q. How did you get into running competitively?
A. I started in 5th and 6th grade at an elementary field day when I won some ribbons, but once I got to Jr. High it was a different story and I started running over hurdles and beating people. Each year after that it got more and more competitive.
Q. What's your favorite sports moment here at the Mount so far?
A. My favorite sports moment here would have to be the first meet of this season. I ran two PR's back to back in the season opener. What better way to start a season than that.
Q. What's an embarrassing moment you have had on the track?
A. My most embarrassing moment I had on the track would have to be my first collegiate meet at Navy. I thought I'd be extreme my first college race and get my hair corn-rowed in a zig-zag design. So as I'm warming up I noticed that I'm the only white person warming up for hurdles, and the only one with cornrows!
Q. How would your teammates describe you both on and off the track?
A. I guess they may see me as hard working and one who won't give up until he is satisfied. Off the track I think they may see me as the fun idiot to be around, I don't know though...I'm not sure what others think of me.
Q. What's the best part of being on the Mount track team?
A. The best part of being on the Mount track team is running for the name. The Mount has a long intensive history of All-Americans, Olympians, record holders, etc. The best part is running for the name because of its history and the coaches who got us here!
Q. Who is your favorite professional athlete and why do you admire him/her?
A. I have a bunch of favorites such as Usain Bolt, LeBron James, and Dayron Robles. I named these three over any others because of their accomplishments at such a young age. Usain Bolt is 24 years old with countless world records set on his 21st birthday. Lebron James is 26 now but came straight to the league from high school. Robles is also 24 years old and he is the world record holder in the 110 hurdles. That's 2 years apart... hmm, do I still have a shot at something?
Q. If you could play another sport at the Mount what would you pick and why?
A. It would have to be basketball, because I like to watch the sport and the basketball team seems to be close, in the sense that they stick together. On a track team with 80+ people you can't have that. Having that tight bond with your squad before, on and off the court would be clutch. The traveling part is pretty cool too.
Q. What is a pet peeve you have when it comes to track?
A. My pet peeve is seeing those who don't want it. You have some people who show up to practice or meets with a 110% effort, while others just come and complain. I feel as if those who don't want it just take up space and waste the other athletes' and coaches' time.
A. I like getting to the start line way before the other runners do and just sit in my assigned lane and visualize the race in mind. Other than that, I warm up alone every meet and just vibe to what's coming through the headphones.
Q. How did you get into running competitively?
A. I started in 5th and 6th grade at an elementary field day when I won some ribbons, but once I got to Jr. High it was a different story and I started running over hurdles and beating people. Each year after that it got more and more competitive.
Q. What's your favorite sports moment here at the Mount so far?
A. My favorite sports moment here would have to be the first meet of this season. I ran two PR's back to back in the season opener. What better way to start a season than that.
Q. What's an embarrassing moment you have had on the track?
A. My most embarrassing moment I had on the track would have to be my first collegiate meet at Navy. I thought I'd be extreme my first college race and get my hair corn-rowed in a zig-zag design. So as I'm warming up I noticed that I'm the only white person warming up for hurdles, and the only one with cornrows!
Q. How would your teammates describe you both on and off the track?
A. I guess they may see me as hard working and one who won't give up until he is satisfied. Off the track I think they may see me as the fun idiot to be around, I don't know though...I'm not sure what others think of me.
Q. What's the best part of being on the Mount track team?
A. The best part of being on the Mount track team is running for the name. The Mount has a long intensive history of All-Americans, Olympians, record holders, etc. The best part is running for the name because of its history and the coaches who got us here!
Q. Who is your favorite professional athlete and why do you admire him/her?
A. I have a bunch of favorites such as Usain Bolt, LeBron James, and Dayron Robles. I named these three over any others because of their accomplishments at such a young age. Usain Bolt is 24 years old with countless world records set on his 21st birthday. Lebron James is 26 now but came straight to the league from high school. Robles is also 24 years old and he is the world record holder in the 110 hurdles. That's 2 years apart... hmm, do I still have a shot at something?
Q. If you could play another sport at the Mount what would you pick and why?
A. It would have to be basketball, because I like to watch the sport and the basketball team seems to be close, in the sense that they stick together. On a track team with 80+ people you can't have that. Having that tight bond with your squad before, on and off the court would be clutch. The traveling part is pretty cool too.
Q. What is a pet peeve you have when it comes to track?
A. My pet peeve is seeing those who don't want it. You have some people who show up to practice or meets with a 110% effort, while others just come and complain. I feel as if those who don't want it just take up space and waste the other athletes' and coaches' time.
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