Spotlight on...Laurie Gotte

Our first featured student-athlete is a freshman on our women's cross country team and a junior on our women's track & field team. She's been the top finisher for our women's XC team the last 2 weekends and will be a key asset for our track & field team in the 3k, 5k, and 10k. This week's featured XC/TF student-athlete is:

Name: Laurie Gotte

Year: Senior

Events: 3k, 5k, 10k

Major: Elementary-Middle Education with a specialization in Math

1. How did you get into XC/Track & Field?

I wanted to get in shape for Basketball in high school and I thought it would be a good idea to do cross country. I then fell in love with running so after Basketball season I ran track and never looked back.

1. If you could do any other event, what would it be?

I would like to try the steeple chase or Javelin.

1. What’s your pre-meet ritual?

The night before I always have some sort of dairy free pasta dish and drink lots of water. On the day of the race I always wear the exact same thing in every race. I do my hair the same way too. I eat a sandwich 3 hours before my race and start my warm up an hour before my race. I start with a ten minute jog then I stretch for 20 minutes, get my uniform and spikes on and then I head over to the start or infield.

1. What’s your go-to warmup song?

Freaks by Timmy Trumpet Feat. Savage

1. Best advice you’ve ever been given?

Do not ever stop, slow down, but do not ever stop.

1. Favorite place on campus and why?

The track because when you are there at the right time, the sunset over the tree line is amazing!

1. Do you have an athletic idol? Who?

Mohammed Farah!!!!

1. Favorite place to compete?

I have always enjoyed running at Gettysburg. I have always done well there and I love their track.

1. Favorite XC/Track and field memory?

Meeting my Best Friend! We lived in the same dorm and on the same floor and we never met or talked. Half way through the season, we got back from a meet around midnight and I recognized her and asked if she wanted to walk back to Frost together and she said sure. So we talked on the way back and have been best friends ever since and now we are roommates!

1. What is your favorite event to watch?

I love every event because everything is so different and I respect the training and difficulty of each of the events no matter the length of the race.

1. What’s the last book you’ve read for fun?

Hunger Games and the BFG

1. Favorite and Least favorite workout?

Mile and thousand repeats are my favorites and I hate 200 repeats.

1. What are your goals for the future?

This year to break 21 in the 5k and 43 in the 10k. I also hope to get my PT certification soon and begin training people.

1. What achievement are you most proud of?

Losing 40 pounds resulting in running better in college than I did in high school and inspiring and pushing people do more than they thought they could do.

1. Stuck on a desert island what three things would you need/want with you?

Lots of fresh water, my best friend, and a boat so I could get off the island.

1. Describe one thing about you that makes you unique.

I have been extremely driven. I give my all in everything I do no matter how hard it is.

1. What actor would play you in a movie about your life?

Jennifer Lawrence