Ellen Stryffeler was a two-time HCAC Runner of the Week this year and will be aiming for her second-straight All-HCAC showing at the HCAC Championships.

Now is your chance to get to know Ellen Stryffeler away from the course, as we go beyond the box score with the senior harrier.

20 Questions With Ellen Stryffeler

1-When did you start running competitively? In the seventh grade because my older sister who also ran cross country told me that I could not do it. I showed her!

2-What has been the highlight of your athletic career so far? The friendships and laughs that I have shared throughout running in high school and college have been priceless, but beating Manchester by more than a minute this year at the Hokum Karem with Erika DeBos was pretty awesome.

3-What are your goals for the remainder of the 2011 season? To be an All-HCAC selection and to put together our best team performance at the HCAC Championships. 

4-Who is your funniest teammate? Honestly, they all make me laugh.

5-Do you have any nicknames? Yes, Ellie.

6-What three words best describe you? Silly, ambitious, strong. 

7-What is your favorite restaurant? It is a toss up between Fazoli's and Fox's Pizza, a restaurant back home.

8-Who is your biggest hero? My brother Ben. He is an extraordinary person always smiling and making the best out of life, even when he takes a clay pigeon to the throat.

9-Dream vacation spot? Australia.

10-What is the top song currently on your iPod? "Best Friend's Brother", by Victorious.

11-Who was your childhood sports hero? My sister Sara. I wanted to be a gymnast and hurdler just like her, but I am not coordinated, graceful, or quick, so it did not work out.

12-Do you have any superstitions or pre-race routines? Erika DeBos and I always do a handshake before we race and we always wear the same "I quit smoking" band. And I always pray.

13-If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be? Jesus for sure.  How awesome would it be to see heaven and meet God!?

14-What is your favorite TV show? "The Golden Girls" and "Alias Smith and Jones".

15-What is something most people do not know about you? That I am actually a senior! I transferred in here from Ursuline College and people always think I am a junior.

16-What is your biggest fear? Getting chased by a goose.

17-Besides your own, what is your favorite sport to watch at Defiance? Soccer.

18-What is your favorite class or professor at DC and why? Dr. Keith Christy, because he really tries to make things interesting and he genuinely cares about his students. 

19-What are your plans after graduating from DC? I plan on volunteering my time with AmeriCorps for a couple of years of service. 

20-How has playing collegiate athletics at DC helped you in life? Running here has taught me to be patient and that good things come with time and hard work. Coach Hartpence has taught me that throwing yourself a pity party will not get you anywhere, it is just going to make you more mad and frustrated. That to get anywhere you have to work through the pain of running or life and that when you push through it, that is when you are really going to succeed. You have to be willing to suffer to reach greatness.