Athlete of the Week: Andrew Sarmir, Fairmont

Grade: Senior

Age: 18

Sports: Cross country, track

Claim to fame/honors: First cross country state meet qualifier in 10 years; owns second-fastest time in school history; member of National Honor Society and student council; school orchestra viola member as third chair; weighted grade point average of 4.2 unweighted GPA of 3.8; plans to attend University of Dayton and run cross country and track

Bet you didn’t know … I used to hate running back when I was younger in middle school

Words you live by: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift” - Steve Prefontaine “Happiness is only real when shared”

Toughest opponent: My own mind. Running is all mental and a battle with yourself

Biggest influence: My coach Aaron Baker and my teammates always pushing me to my best

Meet-day rituals: Two slices of toast with peanut butter, my “Big Jams” playlist on spotify,

What’s on your bedroom walls: Talking Heads poster, video game posters, medals from races

When I’m bored I like to … run, bike, swim, play video games, go out to eat with my friends, listen to music (I’m a huge music listener) and go see movies (also a huge movie nut)

Favorite movie: The Truman Show

Person who would play you in a movie: Leonardo DiCaprio

Favorite TV show: The Office

Favorite musical artist: Talking Heads

I can’t live without: My teammates and best friends

I can live without: School drama

Event you’d like to attend: The Boston Marathon

Favorite book: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Favorite home-cooked meal: Fettuccine Alfredo

Favorite restaurant: Cane’s

Favorite smell: Bill’s Donuts

Favorite cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Runners Plus/Nike outlet

Vegetable you won’t eat: I’ll eat anything

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Eliud Kipchoge

Whose mind would you like to read? My parents

Place where you’d love to travel? The Colorado mountains and desert

Talent you’d like to have? Speed eating

Favorite school subject: Math or physics

Favorite athlete: Steve Prefontaine

Favorite team: University of Dayton’s men’s basketball team

Favorite Olympic sport: The 1500-meter run

Something in the world I’d like to change: How people view running and/or exercise in general. People don’t understand the culture of it and miss out on so much fun and positivity. Just go to any race going on in your community and every runner is friends with one another. I just saw that at the ORRRC Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day!

Favorite sports moment: Eliud Kipchoge’s record-breaking marathon time at the Berlin Marathon

Favorite junk food: Pillsbury toaster strudels (They can really get me out of shape fast)

Best thing about cross country: The culture of it. Everybody seems to be best friends and I don’t find that anywhere else

In 10 years, I hope to be … An engineer, professor or professional runner