Sophomore Carmen Hillman from Urbana, Ohio, came to Wilkes last year to pursure a degree in criminology and run on the Cross Country Team as a vasity runner.

Q. What was the driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes?

A. I was recruited for the cross country team my senior year, and I am from a small town in Ohio, so I wanted to leave and explore the country.

Q. Post-graduation plans in terms of cross country or a career?

A. I plan on continuing my running career in half marathons and my dream is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. In terms of my career, I would like to join law enforcement in a big city far from home, maybe Miami or Los Angeles

Q. What are your hopes for this season as a Colonel?

A. I would really like to improve my times from last year; everything was new last year, like the daily mileage and training but now I am used to it so I know I can do great things for Wilkes.

Q. When/Why did you first begin running cross country?

A. I began running my freshman year of high school because all of my friends told me it would be a great fit for me in terms of athletics, plus I was recruited by the one of the coaches.

Q. If you had to choose one thing about Wilkes’ XC Program that you could improve, what would it be?

A. We actually made a lot of improvements this year, and the program is more focused on preventives from injuries….It wouldn’t hurt if we had a home course.

Q. Why did the Women’s Team finish with no score during the Miseracodia Invitational?

A. In order to score in XC, a team must have five runners, and we had a number of scheduling conflicts, so only three girls were able to run, causing us to not score.

Q. Do you have other sports/interests/hobbies off of the course?

A. In the spring, our coach takes us to track meets and I competed in 1500m and the steeplechase.

Q. Who would you say is the most influential person in your life?

A. My high school XC coach was an incredible role model for me all throughout my running career and my academic career; he was the one that originally told me that I should run.

Q.  A quote you live your life by?

A. “Work so hard that you no longer have to introduce yourself.” This quote has been a driving force for my running and my inspiration for my professional career as well.

Q.  Do you have any advice for the freshmen student athletes beginning their freshmen seasons and semesters?

A. If your sport demands more than you can give, give even more; if your coach is strict, be even more obedient. It doesn’t get better or easier, but you will get stronger, and you love every minute of it.

Q. How do you feel about the changes being made to campus this year? What do you like or dislike?

A. It’s been really annoying running through all of the construction around campus, but it is so amazing to see Wilkes making such tremendous improvements everywhere.