Sophomore cross country runner, Emily Roberts won the Little State Championship at the Indiana Intercollegiate Sept. 18. Roberts helped lead the university’s  women’s cross country team to second place. The team was one of 19 teams competing in this division. Roberts crossed the finish line with a time of 18 minutes, 33 seconds to finish ninth overall. The Shield sat down with Roberts to get a take on how she got to where she is.

The Shield: What made you pursue cross country?

roberts: In 8th grade I wanted to get fit for basketball, so my friends talked me into running and I started cross country then.

The Shield: What’s your favorite and least favorite part of cross country?

Roberts: My favorite part is definitely getting fit and cross country as a sport. Everyone’s more like a family. Least would probably be the injuries and not seeing the progress you want to in that moment.

The Shield: What’s your reasoning behind choosing USI?

Roberts: USI was a Division II school that had occupational therapy as a major and there was only one in Ohio that offered that program and I didn’t like it at all.

The Shield: What other sport would you play if you didn’t run cross country?

Roberts: I’d probably go with basketball.

The Shield: How does it feel receiving the Little State Championship as a sophmore?

roberts: It feels pretty good. I’d like to pick off more of the IU girls next time, but we will see how it goes.

The Shield: What’s the fastest time you’ve everclocked in?

roberts: For a 5K it’s 17:02

The Shield: What would your dream time be?

roberts: I would love to break 17.

The Shield: How do you think the cross country team as a whole is looking this year?

roberts: I think we are looking pretty strong. Everyone’s been working a lot harder and a lot of the freshmen that we had last year, like myself, as sophomores have kind of learned the ropes and definitely gotten use to college racing.

The Shield: How do you prepare yourself to go run?

roberts: I always make sure I’m hydrated. I always have a Powerade. During races I normally take Gatorade chews and make sure I’m hydrated the whole day — have carbs at least one day or two days before.

The Shield: What advice would you give someone pursuing cross country?

roberts: Just start out with little steps. It takes a while  to get the progression to get to high mileage.