Athlete of the Week: Elise Kemper, Bellbrook High School

Sport: Cross-country

Class: Junior

Age: 16

Claim to fame: Two-time state qualifier in Division II cross country, recipient of the Academic All-Ohio Award

Bet you didn’t’ know: I’m a big fan of Broadway musicals.

Toughest opponent/why: Myself because the mental component of running is as significant as the physical one.

Favorite book: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Favorite movie: The Martian

Favorite TV show: The X-Files

Favorite musical artist: One Republic

Favorite pro athlete/why: Nickie Luse, a local professional triathlete who works with my team, because she is an incredible runner and a great person.

Favorite smell: Freshly baked cookies

Favorite home-cooked meal: Homemade pizza

Game-day rituals: I put on my lucky racing socks and play my pre-race playlist.

Person who would play me in a movie/why: Gal Gadot, because she’s awesome.

Words I live by: “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Biggest influence/why: My friends, family, teammates and coaches because they support and encourage me.

I am most annoyed by: Clutter

I can’t live without: My pets

Most embarrassing moment: Rolling my ankle while running down a hill during a race and almost face-planting in the dirt.

In 10 years, I’ll be: Living somewhere scenic and working as an engineer

Best thing about cross-country: The sense of accomplishment you feel after a good race

Worst thing about cross-country: Speed workouts

Vegetable I just won’t eat: Squash

Favorite junk food: Ice cream

Favorite school subject: Physics

Last DVD I bought: The Goonies

Person whose brain I’d like to pick: Elon Musk

Love to trade places for a day with: Tom Hanks

When I’m bored I like to: Read

Worst habit: Procrastination

On your bedroom walls: Pictures with my friends and teammates and a map of the places I’ve been and the places I want to visit

Talent I’d most like to have: To be skilled musically