Photo Courtesy of Sports Information
By Carly Mersky, Staff Writer
Jillian Michales is a senior, Broadcasting and Spanish double major on the Susquehanna Women’s Track and Field and Cross-Country team. She is from Montvale, NJ and went to Pascack Hills High School.
What made you start doing cross-country, track and field?
“I started running track in 8th grade because I enjoyed working out with friends and being outdoors. My freshman year of high school I started cross-country and really embraced long distance running! It’s been such a pleasure ever since.”
Who is your favorite professional track star?
“My favorite professional track star is Emma Coburn! She’s such a hard worker and I love watching her race the Steeplechase.”
Who or what is your biggest motivation when it comes to cross-country, track and field?
“My biggest motivation is to lead and make improvements to our team atmosphere that will last after I graduate. I’ve been looking forward to my senior year for a while because it is my opportunity to give back and bring positivity to everyone, even on those hard workout days!”
What drew you to the cross-country, track and field team here at Susquehanna?
“My high school track coach ran for SU and graduated in 2012! He thought that the University and XCTF program would be a good fit for me, then introduced me to the coach at the time. I stepped into our fieldhouse and could see myself running on the indoor track. After bonding well with the girls’ team, I knew that Susquehanna had something special for my collegiate athletics experience.”
What have been some of your favorite memories here with the team?
“Some of my favorite memories include wearing matching ribbons with the girls’ team, singing along to music on the bus, cheering everyone on at the homestretch of a race, and admiring the beauty of a long run with friends in the early morning.”
If you could relive any meet, which one would it be and why?
“I would relive last year’s Paul Short invitational at Lehigh. As a team, we had an impressive showing, and it was a huge turning point for a lot of us. I’ll never forget the joy of breaking a PR with my running buddy (Callie Rohrer) by my side!”
What has been a student-athlete over the four years taught you?
“Being a student athlete has enforced the importance of time management and staying focused while achieving my educational and athletic goals!”
What is your advice to the cross-country, track and field first years?
“My advice to the first years is to focus on the long-term process of collegiate running, because every year builds on the previous one. This is a four-year journey of individual growth as an athlete while strengthening team unity and friendship!”
What are you going to miss the most?
“I’ll miss the little things – laughing with the team at dinner after a workout, watching a sunrise during a morning run, and pre-race rituals while getting laced up to leave it all out on the course!”
