Hey Haland! - An Interview

400:  1:03.95

800:  2:18.25

1600:  5:27.27

3200:  12:28.44

4K:  16:09.67

5K:  19:46.60

 How do you pronounce your last name?  Do you have any nicknames that you like?

 It's funny you asked this; people almost always get it wrong! The first syllable is pronounced like the word hay or hey and the second somewhere in between the words lund and lend. Together, I'd say my name is closest sounding to hay-lend, with the emphasis on the first syllable. I go by Ellie in most cases. My full name is Eleanor, and my English teacher calls me Pippin.

 Who are your coaches and how does each one help you?  Who else inspires you or motivates you?

 Brendan Ruter, Ryan Soule, and Heath Anderson are the coaches of my track and field team. I work most with Brendan and Ryan. They both are great at pushing me to run harder in workouts, helping me set realistic but difficult goals, and providing delicious cookies to our team every now and then.

 "Handerson," is incredible at bridging the gap between the younger and the older sides of our team and brings an element of silliness without getting rid of the hard work.

 A special mention also goes out to Tom Church. He was my cross country, track and field, and Nordic skiing coach from eighth to eleventh grade. His seemingly boundless supply of enthusiasm and his belief in every one of his runners never fails to motivate me.

 Julia Clark has been my teammate, running buddy, and a wonderful friend. She is one of the most determined people I know, and I would not be the person or runner I am today without her.

 What sports did you play when you were younger?  Which ones helped you the most

for the 800 meter run?

 I have Nordic skied since I was two. Other than that and maybe three weeks of soccer when I was tiny, I didn't really play many sports. Nordic skiing though has given me core strength and a joy for the outdoors.

 What sports are you involved in now?

 I am in track, cross country, and nordic skiing.

 How does it feel to be a three-time MSHSL State Meet participant?  What makes you want to do it again?

Honestly, it doesn't feel all too different. One of the things I love most about my team is that everyone is valued, no matter the ability, so the only noticeable change is a stronger belief in my abilities. I am driven to go back mainly because it's super fun! Running with a group of people that fast is exhilarating! Also, I'm in it for the Katie brownies.

What is different about running at the state level versus the regular season meets? Does the crowd excite you and force you to run a different race than what you want to?  (Starting too fast or maybe even starting your kick too soon for example.)

The main thing I have noticed is that I was never alone in my race. In the 800, there was a huge clump of people around my pace. During the race, it was easy to get boxed in. In cross country, there are always more people to chase down, and it was easy to start out too fast with the other runners. I don't think that I'm very affected by the crowd.

What do you enjoy the most about running?  Which sport do you enjoy the most?

I love the culture of my team. I have been on it since sixth grade, and it has been wonderful being able to make friends throughout the grade levels. As for the actual act of running, I love being able to explore parks and neighborhoods, and I enjoy being able to push myself and my teammates to improve.

My favorite sport is Nordic skiing. I have been doing it since I was a toddler, and I love the balance between form and effort, the camaraderie of the team, and the distances that you can go on skis.

Why did you choose to attend Math & Science Academy in Woodbury?

In sixth grade, I chose MSA for its small community that fosters geekiness, the small classes, and the advanced curriculum that emphasizes math and science. Partially because of the small class sizes and partially because of the school's culture, I got to know and become friends with many of my amazing teachers.

Are you signed up to attend a college yet?  Why did you choose where you are going?

I will attend Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. From the start of my college search, I was leaning towards smaller liberal arts schools. I love physics and math, so I also wanted a place with strong sciences, and where I could run on their team, but still have time for a rigorous academic schedule. Of the places that that meet those requirements, the culture of Earlham seemed the best fit for me! I have already met the coaches and many of the team members and I think I will have a wonderful time running with them!

What are your goals for running beyond high school?

I don't really know. I guess I just want to keep pushing myself to get faster.

What else are you involved in?  Other extracurricular activities, jobs and past jobs, clubs, volunteer work, music, arts, etc.  Do you have favorite games or things that make you or your friends unique?  What do you do for fun besides running?

I play French horn, piano, and ukulele. I also sang alto in my school's choir and madrigal until my morning physics class conflicted with it this year. I was on MSA's robotics team, the Fighting Calculators, and I volunteer with River Valley Riders, a therapeutic horseback riding non-profit for people with disabilities. Other than that, most of my friends and I are huge nerds. I love sci-fi and enjoy reading, playing video games, and watching tv shows. I have a deal with myself where I do pull-ups and pushups for every episode I watch of Star Trek TNG.