Seven Questions with Rue Chitwood
10/21/2008 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 21, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Rolltide.com and the Alabama women's cross country team have started a new weekly segment called Seven Questions. Select players and coaches will check in weekly on Rolltide.com and answer questions pertaining to things on and off the field. The eighth edition features junior Rue Chitwood.
Rolltide.com: When and why did you start running?
Rue Chitwood: I started running in the 6th grade when my family moved to Tifton, Ga. from Osceola, Ark. I felt like an outsider, being a newcomer from another state, and I wanted to earn respect from my classmates and at Tiftarea, it seemed like if you played sports you were respected. So one day, my old coach, Koran, comes into my class and passes out fliers to join the track team, so I did and I worked hard to make myself a valuable asset to the team.
Rolltide.com: Why did you choose to come to The University of Alabama?
Chitwood: Well, I was actually considering going to Northern Arizona, but my mom is an alumni here and she wanted to show me the school. She called Coach Fowler and Coach Fowler called us back and let me come and meet them and some of the team. Once I was on campus, it just felt right, like I was supposed to be here. So it was the monkey wrench in my college decision, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Rolltide.com: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals for this year and career?
Chitwood: Well I'll go out on a limb and say that my personal goal is to compete in the London 2012 Olympics in the 800. Laugh, if you want, but I don't think anything's impossible. And until then, I want to just take the small steps necessary to get there. As for the team, we really want to be the team that everyone is intimidated by on the lineup. We really want to win the SEC and the regional meet, and make it to nationals as team, and I really believe this group can do it.
Rolltide.com: Do you have a pre-race ritual?
Chitwood: The only ritual I have is I always wear these dog tags given to me by Captain Christopher Franco. He's basically like my brother, and he stayed with my family a lot when he was stationed at Ft. Benning in Georgia. Before he left to do his tour in Iraq, he gave me a copy of his. I always wear them because he's such a happy, energetic guy, and his spirit always makes me feel motivated and ready to battle.
Rolltide.com: What's your favorite race and why?
Chitwood: Personally, I really prefer track, so the 800 meters is definitely my favorite race. In cross country, it would be the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas because it's a relatively flat course and I always run well there.
Rolltide.com: Other than running, what Olympic sport would you want to compete in and why?
Chitwood: I would do beach volleyball. I'm not really good at it, but where I used to work in Tifton, a group of technicians and student workers would always get together during our lunch break and play. One of my best friends got me to come play with them one day and I was hooked immediately.
Rolltide.com: As one of three upperclassmen on the team, do you see yourself as a leader for the younger runners?
Chitwood: That's a hard question for me to answer. I'm not an outspoken person, really, but I'm a pretty good listener, so I'm always open to talk if they need someone to talk to. But really, everyone on the team is a leader in their own respect.
