GD: How long have you been in cross country? If you only joined this year, why did you choose to do so?

LG: I’ve been in cross country for three years now. I joined to get out of PE. I stayed because Coach Chaldu won’t let me leave.

GD: Are there any traditions that you have before to prep for a meet?

LG: Nope, I try to make sure I have all my shoes and stuff out of the locker rooms, though. I’ve forgotten them way too many times before important meets. 

GD: What teammate do you admire the most? Why?

LG: I’ve always admired Lokesh, because instead of goofing off during warm ups with us, he used to ignore us and run really hard. He chilled out a little bit this year, though. Shreena is amazing too; her legs are half the size of mine, but she still runs twice as fast. I don’t think she knows how to jog, she’s too much of a runner. And Priscilla, too, is amazing. She’s been in cross country only two years, but she’s progressed so much more than some of us who have been around since junior high. And I really can’t forget Valerie, since I’m on a roll. She and I rock the valleys, and she’s the only reason I don’t just give up and walk during races.

GD: Okay, so now a random question just to get to know you and mix things up as well: If you had the money to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

LG: Right now, I’m pretty in love with the idea of vacationing in Italy. I do love gelato (Italian ice cream). 

GD: Are you going to join track? If so, what events?

LG: Of course, I’m a 100m hurdler. Chaldu will probably make me do 300m hurdles as well. I think I’ll give pole vault and shot put another go as well.

GD: Do you plan to sign up for scholarships or keep playing in college?

LG: I want to play soccer and hurdle in college. I’m definitely done with cross country though, running is tiring.

GD: What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner normally during season? Do you increase calorie intake during season?

LG: I eat constantly no matter what season. It seems to work. I do drink more water and eat a little less before meets though, just because I learned my stomach doesn’t like it when I don’t. 

GD: Do you prefer OA to a regular high school? (because we all know OA is not normal compared to other schools)

LG: If you mean as a team, of course I do. I’ve never known anything else. And besides, we’re a pretty close knit bunch, I’m not sure if you get this kind of camaraderie at normal schools. 

GD: How do you celebrate a victory with your team?

LG: We mob Hometown Buffet and eat platefuls of mac n’ cheese and frozen tang on cherry cheesecake.

GD: Who is your best friend on track?

LG: I have a lot of friends in track, but I guess my best friend last year was senior Kelly Erbe because we spent a lot of time together (we had all the same events). We pushed each other to do better because we were both really lazy and both really competitive.