Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interviews: Liz Montgomery of SUNY Geneseo

Liz Montgomery (#390) and senior Shannon Griggs (#383) at Pre-Nationals

(Photo courtesy of the SUNY Geneseo cross country team)

Montgomery is a sophomore at SUNY Geneseo.  Last year at the 2005 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships she placed 3^rd overall, helping her team win its first National Championship.  She recently finished 2^nd at the SUNYAC Championships as the women’s team captured the team title.  The women’s team is currently ranked 1^st in the Week 6 Division III National Poll.

By: Derick Lawrence (11/06/2006)

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself (where you’re from, what high school you went to, how you got started running)?

I’m from Burnt Hills, NY.  I started running cross-country in ninth grade, partly because it was the only sport team didn’t make any cuts.  Also, my dad started running a few years earlier and it was motivating to see him get healthy and faster.  We still go out running together sometimes!

What were your PR's in high school (cross country and track)?

In cross-country I ran 18:11 for 3 miles.  (Our home course is in Saratoga, NY)

I also liked the shorter events for track.  I ran a 59 400 and a 2:19 800.

I loved my high school team, and we still keep in touch- they are running great this year!

What are your current PR's (cross country and track)?

In cross I’ve run 17:30 5k and 21:10 for 6k.

What made you choose SUNY Geneseo?

I love this school for so many reasons.  I’m majoring in elementary education and they have a great program for that here.  Running wise, I really wanted a program where the team loved what they do and were very good friends.  Also, our coach is amazing, he really cares about each athlete and I really wanted to run for him.

What was your training like this past summer (mileage, workouts, etc.)?

This summer was certainly the hardest training period I’ve ever been through, because I was only able to start training in May after a 4-month recovery from a broken ankle.  I basically worked on increasing my miles and tried not to worry about how fast (or rather, how slow) I was running.  Eventually I got up to 60 miles at the end of summer, with about two harder workouts a week. 

What has your training consisted of the past two weeks (mileage, workouts, etc.)?

I had my last week of regular mileage two weeks ago with 78 where we did 2 workouts alternating with easy-long runs.  This past week we got to start dropping miles, and to keep my sanity I tried not to keep track of how few miles I ran (Most runners don’t like dropping right?!)

Last year at the 2005 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships you finished 3rd individually helping your team win its first National Championship. Looking back, what was this experience like for you as a freshman?

I was so surprised about my individual finish actually.  Our team really wanted to go for first place, so that’s all I was thinking about all season.  All the girls were supportive of me even though I was a freshman, and that really helped.  It just came together for us as a team that day, with Marta and Shannon earning All-American, and when we found out we won it was the best experience!  There are so many people who played a part in it- mostly Coach Woods and all our teammates who came all the way to Ohio to cheer!

What are your goals (individual and team) heading into regionals and nationals?

 I’m not really making any specific goals, but I would say my goal is to run my fastest races in the last two weeks.  I have to run my best so we can score the fewest amount of points possible and as a team we all want to run our best and we’ll see where that gets us. 

What are the dining options like at SUNY Geneseo? Does most of the team eat together?

A lot of us all go to the dining hall after practice and the weight room.  It is an all-you-can-eat type dining hall and we usually stay way too long talking and having fun, because leaving means you have to start your homework!

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and/or running?

There are many.  My parents, because without their support I would have never started.  They always make sure I’m running because I love to run, and keep me from getting too stressed out.  Coach Woods at Geneseo has also been a huge influence, and I’ve only known him in the past year.  He cares about each athlete, not just as a runner, but as a person.  He does way more than give us workouts- he gets us to believe in ourselves and each other and because of that we all want to run fast for him.  We also run for each other, and the girls on this team are a huge inspiration.  Everyone has an incredible work ethic and someone is always there to pick up a teammate who needs help.  Just to name a few: my teammates Christiana and Laura keep me smiling, and my teammate Shannon is a great leader, our captain Christy is so encouraging, and Meghan keeps us all motivated.  We are such a close team, we are all each others’ best friends!

What’s your major?

 I’m an elementary / special education major.  I absolutely love it and I’m looking forward to being a teacher someday.  There is a great program here at Geneseo, and I like all of my Education professors.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I definitely see myself as an elementary school teacher, and hopefully a cross-country coach too! 

I would love to continue running my entire life, although I’m not sure if that will include racing or just running for fun.

Is there a certain cheer or routine the women's team yells or carries out in the team huddle prior to a race?  If so, could you describe it for us.

Team cheer

(Photo courtesy of the SUNY Geneseo cross country team)

Oh yes, the “warrior cry!”  First Coach stands a stride length out and we all run out clapping, in a circle.  Then we put our hands in and Coach gives us some last minute tips and motivation.  Then our captain(s) shout SUNY G and the team responds “Blue Knights!” and we all scream and get pumped up.  Also, personally I have a thousand superstitious routines such as how much my banana costs or how many strides I do.

Does the women’s team have any team bonding activities on the day of a race (i.e., gift exchange, motivational quotes, etc.)?  

We do a thing called “Psych bags” every season where we get each other secret gifts.  We also are always encouraging each other, and our Captain Christy Finke does great things, like this past weekend she gave us all a heart bead to string on our shoelaces, to remind us to run with our hearts.  Also, we each have “big sisters” who surprise us with things.  Mine is Shannon Griggs, who is the best big sister ever and the best teammate anyone could ask for!

What do you like the most about SUNY Geneseo Cross Country?

(Photo courtesy of the SUNY Geneseo cross country team)

That’s easy- the team.  My teammates are the biggest reason to run.  We have so much fun together and are each others’ best friends.  We are always laughing and talking and we study, eat and live together too.

What's the running environment like at SUNY Geneseo? Where does the team train?

Letchworth State Park

(Photo courtesy of the SUNY Geneseo cross country team)

We have a few classic places: “The airport” is a big grass farm field/airport about a mile from campus where we do intervals and short runs.  The “Greenway” is a grass path along a railroad track that goes for miles and we go down there for longer runs.  My favorite place to run is Letchworth St. Park, but we have to take vans to get there so we don’t go very often.  It’s a beautiful park next to a huge river valley with plenty of hills and trails to enjoy.

Any parting words for readers?

Keep running and having fun! 

Thanks to Liz for a great interview.