What is your specialty/position within your sport?

I am a distance runner and a pole vaulter for the track and field team.

How did you get started in your sport, and who was instrumental in getting you going?

I started running when I was 12 years old and pole vaulting at 14. Though I didn't know anything about the sport, I wanted to run, and to run fast. My high school coach, who worked with me from the start, motivated me to work hard and to fall in love with the sport. I picked up pole vaulting in order to score more points for my team and began to train for that along with the distance running. Both my track and vault coach taught me how to properly recover and balance both events at the same time, and so I was able to enjoy benefits form both sports.

What is your favorite athletic memory prior to coming to VMI?

When I was 14 at my conference meet, my team was down in second place by just a few points. I was entered in the triple jump, which turned out to be the last event of the day and, therefore, determined the outcome of the meet. I had to jump a personal best in order to place high enough to bring my team into the lead. With my teammates cheering on the runway and the adrenaline pumping through my system, I prepared for my three jumps. I ended up jumping a personal best and gaining the last few points to bring my team to a conference title. Since then, I have always remembered my team's encouragement and comraderie.

What is your favorite memory here at VMI, athletic or otherwise, and why?

I am a Rat and have only been here for a few months, but my favorite memory so far is when I bought mini pumpkins for my room. My cadre told me that perishables were not allowed, and so they asked me why I had them. I said, "These rats were feeling festive, sir," and they got really angry. My roommates and I just laughed afterwards.

Why did you choose VMI?

I chose VMI because I didn't want to go to a school where I knew how I would have turned out after a four-year career. In other words, I wanted a lifestyle that was going to impact my life in such a way that I would change and develop as a person. Coming from a school which I had attended for 13 years, I really needed something different. And VMI is just that.

What do you most look forward to in the remainder of your time at the Institute?

I want to make the most of my experience here, and so I hope to get involved in some of the leadership opportunities. I didn't come to this school just to "get by," and so I want to take full advantage of what VMI has to offer. I am also looking forward to building strong relationships with my brother rats.

If you could compete against any athlete in any sport, who would it be and why?

If I was to compete against any elite athlete in a distance race, there really wouldn't be much of a race considering the levels of competition. I would love to jump against or just watch Yelena Isinbayeva, who is currently the women's world record holder in the pole vault. She is an incredible athlete and an inspiration to all young women, because she is closing the gap between the standards of men and women in the event.

What are four things you couldn't live without?

Peanut butter, chocolate, my watch, and the support of my friends and family.