Athlete of the Week: Kristen Hoelscher, Wayne High School

Name: Kristen Hoelscher

School: Wayne

Grade: Senior

Age: 17

Sports: Cross-country, track

Claim to fame/honors: Four-year varsity cross-country and track, honor student with 4.3 grade-point average; plans to run in college and major in veterinary science.

Bet you didn’t know … I’ve driven a tank

Words you live by: Our warmup is your workout

Toughest opponent: Jarred Wamsley from the boys team always pushed me to do my best and push me past my best to do even better; he’d motivate me.

Biggest influence: My family; my uncle and grandpa were runners — that’s originally why I started cross-country six years ago

Meet-day rituals: I always French braid my hair; always have to have Eclipse gum; always have to wear black socks

What’s on your bedroom walls? Running quotes; a world map to show where I’ve been

When I’m bored I like to … play with my dog, Pepper, an Australian cattle dog

Favorite movie: Lilo and Stitch

Person who would play you in a movie: Shailene Woodley

Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead

Favorite musical artist: I listen to all different music types

I can’t live without: Food

I can live without: Running

Event you’d like to attend: The Grammys or the Summer Olympics

Favorite book: A Dog’s Purpose

Favorite home-cooked meal: My grandma’s macaroni and cheese

Favorite restaurant: Longhorn Steakhouse

Favorite smell: Bacon

Favorite cereal: Life

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Target

Vegetable you won’t eat: Purple cabbage

I’d love to trade places for a day with … the president

Whose mind would you like to read? My dog

Place where you’d love to travel? Alaska is very beautiful; even though I’ve already been there, I’d love to go back

Talent you’d like to have? Run a marathon; I can finish a marathon, but don’t know if I can run the whole way

Favorite school subject: Math. Is it challenging for me? Yes. But do I like it? Yes.

Favorite athlete: Steve Prefontaine

Favorite team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Favorite Olympic sport: Track, probably the mile or 4x800

Something in the world I’d like to change: Homelessness

Favorite sports moment: At the Brookville Invitational my sophomore year I passed out during the race. I came to and finished the race with a personal best.

Favorite junk food: Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Best thing about cross-country: The team; it becomes a big family

In 10 years, I hope to be … remembered

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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