Little Rock Christian Academy
Alumni
est 1977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1) Where are you currently in college? What is your major? Are you enjoying your experience?
I am currently attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and I’m pursuing a bachelor of science in education degree in exercise physiology.  Exercise physiology is a degree geared towards college coaching, personal training, and basically just getting people to live healthier lives and stay in shape! I have loved my experience at Baylor and I cannot believe it is almost over! I will graduate in 2009.

2) What extra -curricular activities are you involved in? (sports, clubs, awards)
I ran four years of cross-country and track at Baylor, and just recently have entered the professional sports arena as a professional middle-distance runner. It has been an amazing experience being part of such a great team and I can’t wait to see what else the sport has in store for me.  I am also a member of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).

3) How did you get interested in cross-country?
Well, it is a pretty funny story.  I actually did not know what the sport was until Coach Rob Wistrand came to teach at LRCA during my junior year of high school.  A cross country team must consist of five runners to qualify for a meet.  One of the girls was sick one weekend and they needed a filler to qualify the team. Coach Wistrand had heard that I was fast in sprints so he asked me if I wouldn’t mind coming out to help the team.  I ended up running pretty well at that meet and Coach persuaded me to stay on the team.  The rest is history!  I am so glad that I did because I cannot imagine not having running in my life.

4) Tell us about your recent visit to Oregon to compete in the Olympic Trials.
 

During 2008 I ranked 14th in the nation for the 1,500 meter run.  This is the race that I qualified to compete in at the Olympic Trials.  I ran a personal record of 4:15 during the trials.  It was an amazing experience making it to the trials and getting to meet all those world class athletes.  It was an honor to be with some of the best runners in the world and compete beside them at the historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.  One day I aspire to be just as good as they are!

5) What LRCA teachers impacted you the most and why?
The LRCA teachers that impacted me the most were Rob Wistrand and Joel Anderson.  Rob Wistrand and his wife, Hope, were mentors to me in high school and developed my love for running.  We are still good friends today.  Joel Anderson also had an impact on my life and on the way I think now.  I had him for senior Worldview and he taught me to challenge the way we think about society and the world and to think objectively.

6) What are a few of your favorite high school memories?
Well, a lot of my favorite high school memories revolved around sports.  Not just cross-country and track, which I am obviously fanatical about- haha, but also volleyball, softball and cheerleading team memories.  I have always loved being a part of a competitive team and feel that you get closer to the girls on a team when everyone is working to achieve something.  I especially enjoyed going to the volleyball state tournaments.  Coach Schaedig was always a blast to go on trips with!  I also loved Erlo’s class he was so much fun and hilarious.  This is a hard question because I have so many favorite high school memories!

7) Do you have any advice for graduating seniors?
I think the best advice I could give graduating seniors would be to spend time with your close friends before departing for college.  Enjoy the friends that you are really close to and hold on to them because your high school memories might be some of the best ones ever.

8) How did a Christian education prepare you for college?
It prepared me for different worldviews and ideas. It taught me to think objectively.  It has taught me to evaluate situations in college with the help of Christ in my daily decisions.

9) Favorite class in high school?
I think my favorite class had to be anatomy.  I loved Dr. Quay!

10) Hardest class in high school?
My hardest class in high school was Mr. Boles’ chemistry class my sophomore year.  I never knew what was going on in there.  I think Mr. Boyles is just too smart!  BUT, I had to take chemistry in college and I made a B+ so I figure that makes up for how horrible I did in high school and it definitely prepared me for college.

11) Dream vacation?
The Olympics of course!!!! Haha. So I guess that would be London in 2012. That, or I would really like to go to Jerusalem, Albania, or Norway. Maybe I’ll get to run there???? That would be perfect.

12) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
 In 5 years, I see myself still professionally running, possibly married, don’t know about kids yet, … and hopefully doing something with elite or club athletes, maybe coaching or personally training them.  My dream job is to work at one of the Olympic Training Centers, preferably in San Diego or Colorado Springs.  I just don’t know, but I am ready for the next few years of adventure!  Maybe I will have to do another one of these in 5 years!