Name: Nick Lundburg, sophomore

Sport: Cross Country

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM NOVEMBER:

• Qualified for the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship cross country race (only member of either team to do so)
• Ran the 5th Fastest time in school history
• 8th overall at the sectional championship race (2nd best sophomore)
• 10th fastest time in FRHSD history (16 minutes, 12 seconds) at Thompson Park course in Jamesburg

How long have you been running?

I’ve been running since I was 4 and ran my first race.

What events do you run?

I am a distance runner.

How did you start running and what age were you when you started?

My dad ran in high school and college and my older brother ran in middle school and high school. Since they both ran, I picked up on the family tradition and began running myself.

Have you ever participated in any other events or do you want to?

No I only run distance and I don’t plan on taking on any other events.

Do you want to run in college and do you know what school you want to attend?

Yes. My dream school would definitely be University of Virginia but it’s really hard to get in there so I don’t think it will happen.

Do you play any other sports?

Not currently. I used to play baseball but I quit when I got into high school so that I could pursue running further.

Do you run outside of school? If so, how long have you been on the team outside of school?

Not anymore. From when I was 4 through my 8th grade year, I was on a club team for running. Once I got into high school, I stopped participating in that club and made high school cross country my main priority.

Do you prefer running in school or outside of school?

Definitely in school because it’s more competitive, I have a bond with the boys, and everyone on the team is very supportive of each other.

What was the hardest thing to learn when it came to running?

The hardest thing for me was adjusting to the increase in milage from middle school to high school. In middle school, we would only run 1 ½ miles a day and now in high school we run about 6-7 miles per day.

What is your favorite thing about running?

My favorite thing is racing and knowing you’re competing against other kids and trying to take them down.

What is your greatest achievement that you have accomplished through running?

Outside of school, I I made nationals for the junior olympics. Inside of school, I made groups this past month and qualified for states.

What was your worst moment that you had while running?

Freshman year during cross country, I got injured. Seeing my teammates get on the line and not being able to join them was an awful feeling.

How do you stay in shape?

Running 4 ½ to 7 miles a day does the job for me. I also focus on eating healthy.

Do you do anything outside of cross country to stay in shape?

No I don’t work out or anything.

Have you ever had any serious injuries?

In 8th grade, I broke my ankle and wrist. Also, freshman year, I got shin splints.

Is it hard for you to balance running and school at the same time and how do you balance them out?

I don’t really know what it’s like to not go to practice after school every day so I don’t know what it would be like to not balance school and sports, but I’m still able to keep up my grades and hand my assignments in on time.

Do you see yourself going pro or do you want to?

I would love to go to the olympics but that’s not a major goal of mine right now.

Do you have any before game rituals or superstitions?

I have a lot. Before games, I do a 15 minute warm up, put atomic bomb cream on my legs, I do walking stretches and standing stretches, I throw on my spikes, walk onto the line and take off my warm up clothes.

Stats:

Nick has qualified for the NJSIAA Group IV State Championship cross country race and he was the only member of either team to do so. He also ran the 5th fastest time in school history.

Name: Alexis Rogers, sophomore

Sport: Gymnastics

ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM NOVEMBER:

• Qualified for State Sectionals as an individual
• 9th in All-Around
• 9th on Vault
• 7th on Bars
• 12th on Beam
• Qualified for State Finals as an individual
• 11th on bars (State Medal winner)
• Led team to a 10-3 record, appearances in Shore Conference and State Sectional tournaments, and Honorable Mention for Top 10 teams in the state
• Scored a school-record 37.95 in a meet against Freehold Boro earlier in the season
• Scored a school-record 9.5 (twice) on the uneven bars
• Tied her own school record on balance beam with a 9.5

How long have you been doing gymnastics?
   Since the age of three.

What event do you do?

   All around

How did you start gymnastics, what age were you when you started? 

   I was the age of three. First I started with cheer, and was learning the skills very fast so my coaches told me to try gymnastics.     

Have you done any other event?

  I do the all around so I participate in every event.

Do you want to play in college, do you know what school you want to attend?

  Yes I want to go D1 for gymnastics and my dream school is George Washington University.

Do you play any other sports?

   No I use to play basketball, but stopped and wanted to focus on gymnastics.

Do you play outside of school and if so how long have you been on the team outside of school?

   Yes since the age of five.

Which do you like better inside school or outside school?

   Both are different. In school it’s more like a family bond, and outside of school the competitions are much more challenging.

What was the hardest thing to learn?

     A gienger which is a layout half fly away and catch the bar.

What is your favorite thing about gymnastics?

     The adrenaline rush right before the  meet starts.

What was your greatest achievement in gymnastics?

    Making the level nine national team.

What was the greatest and worst moment you had during gymnastics?

     The greatest achievement for me was when i got my last skill at the level ten regionals.

     The worst moment was when I worked so hard all throughout the year, and went to tryout in Texas for a top camp and missed it by one person. Only thirty five were picked I was thirty six out of a thousand athletes.

How do you stay in shape?

     On the off season I walk on the treadmill and do gymnastics outside of school.

Do you do anything outside of school to keep you in shape?

     Action gymnastics

Have you had any serious injuries?

     I almost tore my hamstring( severely pulled it) and broke my ankle.

Is it hard to balance everything, how do you balance it all out?

    Sometimes it feels impossible, but my coaches are very understanding. My parents always make sure school goes first.

Do you want to go pro?

    No I just want to do gymnastics in college.

Do you have any before meet rituals, or superstitions?

    I listen to hardcore m&m and do my routines over and over in my head, if I don’t I’m scared i will fall. I also have to get ready hours before the meet starts.