Editor's Note: Throughout the 2011 season we will sit down with a Spider cross country runner each week and have them answer a set of 20 questions about their lives both on and off the course. This week we interview freshman Clare Moretz, who has been among the team's top-five finishers in each of the two races she has run this year.
RichmondSpiders.com (RS): What led to your decision to choose Richmond?
Clare Moretz (CM): I chose Richmond because it has outstanding academics and our team can hold its own against other Division I programs.
RS: With nearly a full season now under your belt, what would you say it means to be a Spider?
CM: Being a Spider means that you have an instantaneous connection with everyone around the school. Everyone has a common goal.
RS: What types of goals did you set for yourself at the beginning of the season, and how do you feel about your progress toward achieving them?
CM: At the beginning of the season my goal was to adjust to workouts and compete at meets. So far, I'm accomplishing both goals better than I thought I would.
RS: What was it like to run as part of Team USA at the Junior World Mountain Running Championship in Albania last month?
CM: After running in Albania, no other hills scare me. It strengthened me mentally.
RS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
CM: Before a meet, I normally get really nervous. I just stay as quiet as possible.
RS: What motivates you to get out and run the many miles required of a cross country runner each week?
CM: I love running, my team and being in shape, so coming out every morning is pretty easy.
RS: Which teammate have you learned the most from in your first season as a Spider? Why?
CM: I've learned the most from Jill Prentice. I roomed with her during preseason camp and she's been a great person to talk to about training, school and adjusting to college.
RS: What is the most peculiar thing you've seen happen during a race?
CM: At the Paul Short Invitational, a girl was literally walking against all the racers in the middle of the course. I'm not sure she stayed on her feet...
RS: How would your best friends describe you?
CM: My best friends would describe me as friendly and funny.
RS: If your teammates gave you a superlative, what would it be?
CM: My superlative would be "Most Likely to Misunderstand Directions".
RS: If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be?
CM: I would want to run in Australia... because it is Australia.
RS: Who are your greatest role models both in and out of the sport?
CM: Inside the sport, I'd say Jordan Hasay because she is small and compact yet very fast.
RS: What is your declared/intended major and dream job?
CM: I did have an intended major, but now I'm not so sure. My dream job would be anything that makes me happy!
RS: Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
CM: My favorite spot would be Dhall... friends and food.
RS: If you had the opportunity to go on a run with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
CM: I would want to run with Usain Bolt so I could stock up on some autographs.
RS: If you could have the perfect meal prepared for you, what would it be?
CM: I would want ribs, a burger, raspberries and a molten chocolate lava cake with one spoon so I wouldn't have to share.
RS: If every day was a holiday, what would that holiday be? Why?
CM: If every day was a holiday it would probably be National Reading or Homework Day because that's what most of my days are like anyway.
RS: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
CM: I would want be supernaturally fast for obvious reasons.
RS: What's something interesting about you that most people don't know?
CM: When I was younger, I was in a lot of Civil War reenactments. If you went to a historical reenactment in Virginia, you may have seen me.
RS: What do you enjoy doing outside of the sport?
CM: I like making music and messing around with other features of digital audio.
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