Athlete of the Week: Grace Kilroy, Centerville High School

Name: Grace Kilroy

School: Centerville

Grade: Junior

Age: 16

Sports: Cross-country, track

Claim to fame/honors: Helped Elks capture fourth straight state championship; finished 18th individually at state; placed fifth at Greater Western Ohio Conference meet and regional; member of team that qualified for Nike Cross Nationals in 2015; personal-best time for mile is 4:49; focuses on 1,600-meter run in track.

Bet you didn’t know … I love to cook

Words you live by: Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is uncertain and today is a gift

Toughest opponent: As a team it was Ursuline

Biggest influence: My mom

Meet-day rituals: Always have peanut butter on toast with banana; always wear same green socks; I say a prayer before every race

What’s on your bedroom walls? My running medals, pictures of family, friends and running, and a goal board

When I’m bored I like to … read and cook

Favorite movie: Forrest Gump

Person who would play you in a movie: Sandra Bullock

Favorite TV show: Friends

Favorite musical artist: Lost and Found

I can’t live without: Peanut butter

I can live without: Doing yard work

Event you’d like to attend: Summer Olympics either as a spectator or participant

Favorite book: Running with the Buffalos

Favorite home-cooked meal: My mom’s chicken marsala

Favorite restaurant: Ramsi’s Café on the World in Louisville

Favorite smell: Vanilla

Favorite cereal: Apple Cinnamon Cheerios

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Whole Foods

Vegetable you won’t eat: Beets

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Emma Coburn

Whose mind would you like to read? My coach, David Dobson

Place where you’d love to travel? Hawaii

Talent you’d like to have? Singing

Favorite school subject: Pre-calculus

Favorite athlete: Mirinda Carfrae

Favorite team: The Cubs

Favorite Olympic sport: Besides running, it would be gymnastics

Something in the world I’d like to change: Amount of violence

Favorite sports moment: When my team qualified for nationals my freshman year

Favorite junk food: Ice cream

Best thing about cross-country: The challenge

In 10 years, I hope to be … still running and also be a sports nutritionist for a college program

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete's name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.

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