Before the Florida Gators men’s and women’s cross country teams compete in the Western Carolina Invitational on Friday in Cullowhee, N.C., Gator Country got a chance to meet up with senior Genevieve LaCaze of the women’s team. Here’s our Q&A session with her.
Q: How’s the year been going so far?
It’s been pretty quick already to me. A week and a half has gone past. The team has got great cohesion – everyone gets along so well and practice is already going great. Everyone is so fit, probably coming in better than last year so it looks to be a good season already and were only a week and a half in.
Q: Can you give a recap of last year’s SEC Championship race?
That was a really exciting race. It was expected because we won the year before, but obviously we didn’t know what was going to happen the day we pulled in Rebecca (Lowe) from injury. Everyone had to step up a little bit on that day, but everyone did and we pulled through by one point so it was a really exciting day. Really excellent outcome from what we probably were thinking at the time.
Q: What are your goals for 2011?
I would obviously love to win the SEC as a team again. It’s my senior year. I’d like to finish with that championship. I’d like to be top three in that race as well and be right up there to help the team out. Obviously in nationals I’d like to finish top-40 probably because I haven’t always had the best national race.
Q: How does it feel to finally be a senior?
I still can’t believe it because when I came in I was the only freshman so it makes me the only senior. We’ve got two other fifth year seniors, but it does seem strange because I was here it doesn’t feel like that long ago as the only freshman. I was so scared and worried about everything ahead. I made it this far and it’s honestly been an amazing experience, and I’m really nervous that it’s coming to an end.
Q: Can you talk about redshirt senior Rebecca Lowe also being from Australia?
It’s actually pretty cool because before we came over here Rebecca and I actually didn’t know each other that well, so coming here has really kindled our relationship. Now every time I go home I try to fly down to Sydney and see her. It’s really been beneficial for me to make a friendship like that from someone that is from my country, yet were both here in America competing and traveling together.
Q: How was the transition moving from Australia to Gainesville?
It was a totally different world and obviously at the time it wasn’t my choice so it was really difficult. Being homesick and traveling away from home was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done.
Q: How did you end up at the University of Florida?
Straight out of high school I started hearing from a few universities. Coach Morgan actually had met a friend I trained with before. He mentioned me and said that I was maybe interested in coming to America. At the time I was already talking to Texas A&M so I started talking to Coach Morgan and he actually reminded me a lot of my coach at home. The minute I came here on a recruiting visit I knew it was definitely a place I wanted to be. It’s so similar to home – The climate and the people are so friendly. It wasn’t a hard choice.
Q: What’s the difference running cross country as a team, rather than as an individual?
Track at home is completely individual – There’s no team at all. You do run for your state, but you don’t worry what everyone else is doing. So being here and actually having a purpose on the team and knowing that you’re not just supporting yourself, you’re supporting everyone around you. There’s a lot more motivation and inspiration to try to do better. Each year we come back hoping to win the SEC or get a bigger group to nationals. It just gives you more reason to go out there every day and look around you, and see everyone else doing the same thing.
Q: Are there friendly rivalries on the team?
Definitely, but it kind of helps me. I’ve always had at least one other person train with me. I train with Cory (McGee) for the 1500 and it’s kind of nice because we don’t have to be competitive because that’s her sport and that’s her event. I love training with her. There’s rivalry I guess in the sessions because you want to push each other. One leads at one time and then you’ll swap. But it’s never a nasty sort of rivalry. It’s actually really, really good.
Q: How’s it like to be around so many successful athletes at the University of Florida?
I think to be at the University of Florida you’re honestly very lucky because we have one of the best universities in the nation, let alone the SEC. You’re out there with some of the top people in the nation. We see Jeff Demps every day out there training. Cory McGee won the SEC as a freshman. We have our sprinting girls going to nationals and getting All-American. It’s just really exciting to have the level of talent. We have professionals out there with us. You never would imagine that you’re out there with some Olympians. It’s just amazing and I couldn’t ask for a better team.
Q: What are your plans with track/cross country after college?
I’ll see how this year goes. I’m going to try to go home for the Olympic trials. I’d love to run for America, but I’m still an Australian citizen. I’ve got to go home at some point and my visa will run out. If running goes well I would love to stay here and train with coach Morgan. He’s definitely been the most successful and best coach I’ve ever had. If I would like to continue in running I would definitely look to staying here keeping close to the team and doing what I can do.
Q: What are your pre-run rituals?
I’m really peculiar in eating and what time. I mean all runners are. I feel like any distance runner you talk to is going to have these ridiculous things they do in rituals they have to stick to.
Q: Do you listen to a type of music before a race?
I sometimes listen to techno from home. It just gets me excited and happy. It’s just going to put me in a good mood. Nothing in particular I have to listen to, as long as I’m in a good mood and anxious to get going.
Q: How would you like to be seen by your teammates when you’re not running in a race?
I just hope that people feel that I’m approachable. I never want to be an intimidating or scary person to talk to. I do find that I’m friends with a lot of people on the team. I do honestly have fun with every single girl on this team – there’s no one I steer away from. I just hope that when people see me out and about I hope they feel they can approach me. I am the only senior so I do want people to feel they can talk to me, especially the incoming freshman.
Q: Do you feel like a leader?
I’m trying. I think it’s a good sign when I come in fitter than I did last year. That’s always a good point for young ones to look up to and see. We’re trying to set the boundaries high. They see where they have to be and where they want to be. I think I’ve been a good senior in that point so hopefully I can help out in other ways.