-Athlete Name: Emily Roberts
-School: Fredericktown High School
-Year of Graduation: 2014
-Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
18:18 State Cross Country Meet my freshman year
-Tell us how your summer training is going?
My summer training has been going just as planned. I've had a great time running with different people and going to new places.
-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I have many goals concerning this upcoming cross country season. My first goal is to PR as I'm sure everyone else's is. Also I would like to try to be more of a team leader by getting more people involved in running, working harder, and having a good team effort.
-How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running since my 8th grade year, when my friend (Rebekah Haip) and my middle school coach (Coach Davidson) convinced me to start running cross country. At first my parents were hesitant about me running, they thought that I'd never survive. My parents never told me, but the look on their face when I told them I was going to try Cross Country said it all.
-Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
A group of us took a trip last year to Terre Haute, Indiana for the Nike Mid West Meet, so I think we are planning on going again this year.
-What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
My favorite course in Ohio would be...hmm. Well for me, I think the best course is/was Sciota Downs. It's my favorite because its a fast course (where I set my PR), and theres a lot of people. It also enables the coaches to get around the course easier throughout the race.
-What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
Toughest course in Ohio well I'd have to say our home course down as Kokosing. The hills are a great work out, but in a race they can be a real killer.
-What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
Well I always try to do my best on the courses but as peaking is concered probably the Mid Buckeye Conference.
-What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite race so far in my high school career would have to be the Warrior Dash. A friend and I competed in it this June and it was beyond fun, by the end of the race we were covered literally head to toe in mud. Everyone needs to experience a race that has no pressure and that you can go out and just run for fun.
-Favorite cross country memory?
Wow, It's hard to think of one favorite cross country memory. But I'd have to say my favorite one is seeing Nick Gaumer after Regionals last year qualify for state, the look on his face was just awesome. He shed some tears but not of saddness but of happiness. I finally had to give in and give him a great big hug. Its important to hold on to all the memories that you can.
[Editor's Note: Nick Gaumer passed away after an automobile accident in December of 2011 - https://oh.milesplit.com/articles/77361-fredericktowns-nick-gaumer-passes-at-age-16. There will be a 5-mile on Saturday Aug. 11th, 2012 that will help raise money for the Nick Gaumer Scholarship. For more information about the race and the scholarship, please visit either the Facebook Event Page or the race page on Premeir Sports.]
-When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
When I am not running my favorite thing to do is go horse back riding, swimming,bible study and probably having fun with my friends.
-Favorite quote?
My favorite quote is off of Chariots of Fire..... "I believe that God made me for a purpose...,but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure."
-What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
I don't run with an Ipod in, I feel like I can't think. But as for others I hear that a fast paced kind of inspirational song works best.
-What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
If I could meet any professional athlete it would probably be either Grady Sizemore (baseball player for the Indians), Usain Bolt, or Pre. I would like to meet Grady because I've been a huge fan of him for the longest time and also with him being hurt I'd like to know how he mentally deals with things and how he mentally prepares himself before competing. I'd like to meet Usain because I would just like to know how in the heck he got that fast, like his training schedule, his diet, and how he pushes through the pain. Last but not least Pre because he is just an inspirational distance runner, and I'd also like to know the the little things he did to make himself better.