Posted 10/20/05
Lindsey Vick is a sophomore cross country runner at UW-Platteville. She hails from Cottage Grove and was the salutatorian at Abundant Life Christian School. Last year she placed 29th in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the third-best UWP finish. This fall she has consistently been the Pioneers' second finisher and placed fourth overall at UW-Whitewater and seventh at Wartburg.
How has your season being going so far?
"It's going really well. I ran a lot this summer, so I put in a lot of hours to prepare for this year. Coach (Tom) Antczak is a great coach, and he has helped me a lot."
When you say you put in a lot of mileage this summer, what is a typical week of work?
"I had a maximum of 360 minutes, but I'm not sure what I averaged. We had two 100-percent weeks when we got those minutes in and then shorter weeks. We had different amounts every week."
Is that hard to do in the summer? Did you run alone or did you have partners?
"I was on my own this summer. It's hard to fit it in when you're working, but if you want to do it, you can find time for it."
People are seeing the results pay off. Coach Antczak says you are one of the most improved runners we have.
"In high school, I wasn't that great, but once I came here, Antczak's coaching and just running a lot more helped. I only ran as a junior and senior in high school, but I've improved a lot since then."
Last year you were the Pioneers' third runner at conference. Did that surprise you?
"It surprised me a lot. I wasn't even sure I'd be scoring for the team, so I was very excited when I got to contribute in that way."
Now this year, you are consistently one of the top contributors. Where do you see yourself and the team fitting in the conference?
"We set our goals high, and I don't know how it will all pan out in the end. We'll just have to see."
Speaking of high achievements, your list of academic honors is almost a page long. What is your major, and how are classes going?
"I'm still deciding between mechanical engineering and engineering physics. I'm not sure which one I want to do yet. It's a lot of work, but I try to be a good student-athlete."
Does the running help you sort things out in your head?
"What it really helps is with time management. A lot of people think it's hard with sports getting homework done, but in the end, it has helped me get my stuff done. Instead of having that hour or two just to waste each day, I can get my homework done. While I'm running, it's an escape from it. If I were always studying, I think I'd go crazy. Running is something I love to do."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson