University of Richmond Athletics
20 Questions with Alli Mannon
01/12/2012 | Women's Track & Field
Editor's Note: Throughout the 2012 season we will interview a Spider Track & Field athlete each week and have them answer a set of 20 questions about their lives both in and out of the sport. This week we sit down with sophomore Alli Mannon.
RichmondSpiders.com (RS): What sets Richmond XC/Track & Field apart from other programs?
Alli Mannon (AM): I think one of the biggest things that sets us apart from other programs is the unity of our team. Everyone works so hard and we all work towards goals that we set individually and together as a team.
RS: What has been your most memorable moment while competing as a Spider?
AM: At the top of the list would be the men's and women's conference titles in cross country last year. Another very memorable moment was competing at the Armory Track in New York City. It was a great meet, and Amanda Lineberry and I had the opportunity to run together in Central Park the following day.
RS: Of all your teammates, past or present, from whom have you learned the most and why?
AM: I have probably learned the most from Erin Lunny. She was always a great teammate to talk to before a race, and we roomed together quite often when we traveled. We also frequently ran together for workouts during the cross country season and she was a great motivator.
RS: Which of the three running seasons is your favorite and why?
AM: In high school, I never wanted to run track because I did not want to run the shorter distances. But outdoor track has actually become one of my favorite seasons. Sometimes track seems more rewarding because it is a more accurate way to see yourself improve, whereas in cross country the courses are all different and times can greatly vary.
RS: What are you most looking forward to about the indoor season?
AM: I am really looking forward to the indoor conference championship. After coming back from an injury this fall, I feel better prepared for the indoor season. I liked the indoor championship last year and especially enjoyed competing in the 1,000 Meters and the DMR.
RS: What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received in the sport?
AM: The most helpful advice that I have received is to break up the race into parts. Looking at the race as a whole can drain a runner mentally.
RS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
AM: I have a quote book that I like to read before I race. It is something I have always done and it is a good way to keep me relaxed.
RS: What is the strangest thing that you've seen happen during a race?
AM: One time I saw someone run into a post that marked the course. It must have hurt because it made a pretty loud sound.
RS: If you could go on a run with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
AM: I would want to run with my teammates from high school because we could talk for hours and the run would seem to go by quickly!
RS: If your teammates gave you a superlative, what would it be?
AM: Last year at our picnic, my teammates gave me the superlatives "Best Laugh" and "Most Likely to Stop and Smell the Roses".
RS: Who has had the most profound impact on you both in and out of the sport?
AM: My high school coach definitely has made the biggest impact on me in the sport. I could not have asked for a better coach in high school. He taught me a lot about running and is probably the reason why I enjoy running so much. Outside of the sport, my parents have had the greatest impact on me. I love spending time with them and I have learned a lot from them.
RS: What is your major and dream job?
AM: I have not declared a major yet, but I am planning on becoming a history major. And I do not have an exact dream job, but I would love to coach a cross country team if I have time for it.
RS: What's been your favorite class on campus? Favorite professor?
AM: I really liked the class "Catching Criminals with Chemistry". It was really cool because not only did we learn chemistry, but we also talked about criminal cases. On the first day of our lab, the professor staged a crime scene and we had to collect the evidence. From then on our labs involved using the evidence collected from that night. Professor Case taught the class and he has become one of my favorite professors.
RS: Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
AM: One of my favorite places on campus is in the courtyard of the international center. I love to sit there while working on school work and listen to the sound of the fountain in the background.
RS: As a distance runner, you can obviously afford to have a couple culinary guilty pleasures. Anything immediately come to mind as your favorite?
AM: It is definitely mint chocolate chip ice cream. I never really eat ice cream when I am at school, but I usually eat a bowl every night before I go to bed when I'm home. It's hard for me to refuse a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
RS: What is your favorite pro sports team? Favorite athlete?
AM: My favorite pro sports team is the Philadelphia Eagles, and my favorite athlete is Michael Phelps. Watching him race is always really exciting for me.
RS: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one person and thing would you like to have with you?
AM: I would probably choose to be stranded on an island with my friend who I've known since third grade. I think having her there would help the time fly by! I would want to have the game Dutch Blitz so we could be entertained.
RS: If you could be on any TV show or in any movie, what would it be? Why?
AM: If I was on any TV show it would probably be "The Office". I find the show entertaining, and it would be fun to goof off with my coworkers.
RS: What were the highlights of your holiday break?
AM: I loved being able to see all of my family and friends over the break, but one of the highlights was visiting my sister who lives in New Jersey. I don't really get to see her often, so it was nice to hang out with her for a few days
RS: What's something interesting about you that most people don't know?
AM: I love to go scuba diving. My dad has done it for a very long time and he helped my sister and me get certified. Last summer we got to dive in the Caribbean, and I actually saw three sharks. It was such a neat experience.
Players Mentioned
