Posted 4/8/08
UW-Platteville track and field student-athlete Kristy Curry is a sophomore and a graduate of Platteville High School. She and her Pioneer teammates will compete at the Platteville Invitational Saturday, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
You transferred from UW-Whitewater this year. What brought you back to UW-Platteville?
"I just wanted to come home. I like Platteville and I've always liked running for the Platteville name. This is a good program. I knew when I transferred I wanted to stay in the conference, and the business program, the school end of it, was a big thing for me."
What's the biggest benefit of going to school in your hometown?
"Being home for dinner! I also enjoy how the track and cross country teams here are more like a family. I do like the campus, too, as it's a lot smaller. It takes me five minutes to walk to class, not 20. I really enjoy the classes here and the fact that the teachers and professors know my name and things about me."
What would you eventually like to do with your business degree?
"I'd like to go into the administrative aspect, possibly marketing, possibly PR. I'd like to be on the administrative end, seeing everything through and heading everything up. A business major is so broad that you can do so much with that."
What was your highlight running for Platteville High School?
"It was just fun. There is the so-called Hillmen Pride. I didn't have it last year, but now I have it again this year. There's a sense of nobility about Platteville's program. I went out for soccer my first year (in high school) and thought I was in love with soccer, but then I started running more and really enjoyed it. I just liked the adrenaline and Coach (Rob) Serres. He's just an energetic ball, and he gets you fired up. You just feed off the fun, the adrenaline and the success. And it's continuing in college. There are so many successful people on this team, that you have to rise to the occasion and have something to work for. It's definitely a good program."
How is this track season going for you?
"The indoor did not go as well . I got shin splints and a respiratory problem, but I ran (the outdoor opener March 29) in St. Louis and ran a little better. I enjoy outdoor track a lot more."
What are your goals?
"My goals for this year are to make it to conference in an individual event. I went in a relay during indoor, but outdoor I'm hoping to get in the 800. That would be my goal. Last year I did it, but I had so many hardships with injuries during the indoor season, that I just want to boost my ego a little bit."
With the home meet coming up Saturday, what is the new track like?
"I had run on the prior track, and the new track is amazing. You feel like you're floating. Last year at Whitewater, we ran on the high school track, and that was just pulling up. At PHS, we had a new track when I was a sophomore, and that was great, and now this track is even better than that. I'm definitely excited to race on it."
Interview by Sports Information Director Paul Erickson