BY MURRAY GLEFFE
CORRESPONDENT
Name: Ian MacLean
Parents: Marci and Andrew
Activity: Cross country
Twitter: @imaclean34
What is it like to be a leader on the cross country team at Ashwaubenon High School? “It’s a great experience. Thankfully, I’ve been running with most of the boys and girls for multiple years already, so we know each other very well. It is difficult sometimes to be able to keep a positive mindset for the rest of the team when you yourself feel the workload that comes with a sport like this.”
What is your most embarrassing moment ever in cross country? “It was during the conference meet last year. It was cold and I hadn’t put my jersey on before I reached the start line. When I got to the line, I took off my warm-ups and my shirt to put my jersey on. The official came over and yelled at me for taking my shirt off at the starting line. Apparently, it is against the rules, and I had no idea.”
How many years have you been involved in cross country? “I was first involved in the sixth grade. However, I have been running long distances on my own since the fourth grade.”
What is your most memorable moment? “It was sophomore year during the Lourdes Academy meet in Oshkosh and this was going to be my first varsity race. Not only was it my first varsity race, but my aunt and uncle from Minnesota were in town and decided to come watch. My uncle was a very good cross-country runner at his high school and I remember him screaming at me during the run. I ended up running the fastest time of my sophomore year at that race.”
What’s the hardest part about performing in a cross country meet? “It’s definitely the time leading up to it. When you run on varsity you usually end up sitting at the course for a few hours before you run. This just allows you to run the race in your head so many times that by the time you actually get to run the race, you feel like you’ve already run the race 10 times. Keeping yourself cool before you run is definitely the most difficult part of the race.”
If you could be somebody for a day, who would it be? “Derek Jeter in his glory days. In my opinion, he was the best player in the MLB when he was making off-balance throws and diving stops on the daily. I may like the Red Sox better, but Jeter is definitely my favorite athlete and is the reason why I wear the No. 2 in basketball and baseball.”
What is your sports routine before a big meet starts? “It involves music for sure. Then once we get to a course, Randy (Johnson) and I walk the course even if we know the whole thing. The rest of the time is spent cheering on the JV teams and the girls’ varsity, mixed in with stretching and a warm-up run.”
Winning individual honors or a big team win? “Definitely a big team win. I love when I beat my personal best, but being able to win a meet as a team and seeing my other teammates reactions to a great race feels so much better than just a win by myself.”
What are your college aspirations? “I hope to get into UW-Madison and enter a pre-med program.”
What would be your dream job once you graduate? “My dream job would be a sports medicine physician.”
What are your hobbies? “Most of my hobbies involve some type of sport whether it is baseball, basketball or running. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family along with hunting during the fall.”
What is your favorite event ever attended? “A few years ago when I went to the Wisconsin versus Minnesota football game at Camp Randall. The Badgers won by a ton, and watching them carry the axe onto the field and pretending to cut down the field goal post down was awesome.”
What is your favorite type of music? “It depends on what type of mood I’m in. I’d say that usually, I find myself listening to country, but there is a fair amount of hip-hop mixed in.”
What is your favorite thing to do on your phone? “I like to check social media, go on Snapchat, or listen to music.”
What three words describe you? “Resilient, ambitious, easygoing”
What is your favorite trip ever taken? “My exchange trip to Germany two summers ago. I spent a month in Germany and surrounding countries with my exchange partner and a group of Ashwaubenon students. Not only did I learn a ton, but I had an amazing time and definitely plan to go back.”
TV or outdoor activities? “If there’s a chance to do something outside, I would definitely do that over sitting inside and just watching TV.”
Favorites
Food: Nana’s Pork Casserole
Subject: Science
Color: Blue
TV Show: “Greys Anatomy”
Athlete: Derek Jeter
Board Game: Sorry
Candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Ice Cream: Strawberry
Holiday: Fourth of July
Season: Fall