Seven Questions with Betty Rotich
9/9/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sept. 9, 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 second edition features junior Betty Rotich.
Rolltide.com: When and why did you start running?
Betty Rotich: I started running after I completed high school. I played soccer in high school. My uncle ran on scholarship in college and when he came back, he told me that if I ran then maybe I can get a scholarship to go to school. I was just at home and couldn't afford to pay for college so I just started running.
Rolltide.com: Do you have a pre-race ritual?
Rotich: I just want to be left alone, haha. I don't listen to music or anything.
Rolltide.com: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals for this year?
Rotich: I really want to get better from last year. My last cross country season wasn't very good last year. We have a really good team this year and a lot of good freshman so I think we will do some big things soon.
Rolltide.com: What's your favorite race and why?
Rotich: I love track and I love the 5000 meter race. It's not too long and it's not too short.
Rolltide.com: What was the biggest transition moving to the United States from Kenya?
Rotich: The first thing was the language, of course. Then, food! I lost ten pounds when I first came here because I couldn't eat anything, haha. The weather was really cold too in Missouri when I came here.
Rolltide.com: Other than running, what Olympic sport would you want to compete in and why?
Rotich: Soccer, because I was playing in high school and was good at it.
Rolltide.com: What do you plan to do after you graduate?
Rotich: I want to go back to school and maybe keep running more.
