With the track and field season set to begin in less than a month, team SID Brad Salois conducted a Q&A session with senior sprinter/long jumper Pete Reed. The results appear below.
Why VMI?
Growing up, I always wanted to be different from my family and friends. Seeing all of them go to Old Dominion or VCU, I wanted to take a different route and challenge myself to something new, so I came here. I also heard it had a great reputation and was a great place to be from. I love the tough demeanor it holds.
Favorite VMI memory?
The constant laughing, joking, and motivation I obtain from my roommates and team. Helping lead the team, setting a positive example, and living day by day with them is a memory in itself.
Goals this year:
Make Dean's List and qualify for the IC4A Championships.
Where does the name Pete come from?
It's funny to see the confusion in people's faces when they learn what my real name is, but long story short...I have a twin brother and the first-born was going to have my father's name and the second-born was going to have my grandfather's name. When the time came, my older brother took my father's name. The funny thing about my name is that my mom deviated from the original plan, and decided not to give me my grandfather's name. Then my uncle gave my real name 'Lamaris', but my grandfather was a little upset I didn't take his name, so my mom gave me his nickname 'Pete'. It's been with me ever since.
What were some of the keys to get you through your breakthrough season last year, and what do you see as keys for yourself going forward?
Every year I look to do better than my previous year. But most importantly, my competition on the team is Aron Long. We've been running together for the past four years now and he pushes me every practice...almost to the point of throwing up. Also these are my last years running collegiately as a VMI cadet, might as well give it my best.
Favorite TV show:
I mainly watch movies, but 'Courage the Cowardly Dog' and 'Hell's Kitchen' are a couple of my favorite TV shows. And I love the suspense of the two.
If I have an hour of free time, I like to do this:
Play Super Smash Bros with the roommates.
What web site do you most frequently visit:
Either 'World Star Hip Hop' or YouTube.
Favorite sport to watch:
Boxing
If someone would look at the songs I have, on my IPOD or computer, I'd be embarrassed for them to see I have this song:
None. All I listen to is Rap, hip hop, go go, and 90's rap.
If you could eat dinner with three other people, living or not, who would they be and why?:
My grandfather on my dad's side, who I never formally met (he passed away when I was young), Harriet Tubman (to hear her share her hardships during her era of the Underground Railroad), and my grandma that passed away six years ago. She meant the world to me, and I would love to hear her voice again.
