The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Athlete of the Week

    Clarissa Smith

    Sophomore biology major Clarissa Smith is a distance runner for Southeastern’s cross country team. She graduated from Holden High School and is from Lapeer, Michigan. Recently, she placed second in the MC Choctaw opening on Saturday, October 17. 

     

    The Lion’s Roar: Looking back at the MC Choctaw opening, how does it feel knowing that you made a second place finish? 

    Clarissa Smith: It feels good. We went out there and competed well.

     

    TLR: Being from Michigan, how is being here different than being home?

    CS: I was born in Michigan and lived half of my life up there, then I moved down here. I’ve been here for a good eight years already so there isn’t much of a difference. 

     

    TLR: How did you come to live here all the way from Michigan?

    CS: My parents were divorced and my dad lived down here, then my mom got remarried and my step dad was from here so we ended up moving the family down here. 

     

    TLR: What do you miss about your hometown?

    CS: I miss seeing the other side of my family because all of my family is still up there. Only my close family lives down here.

     

    TLR: What do you enjoy about Louisiana? How is it different? 

    CS: I like the people a lot. It definitely doesn’t snow down here so that’s good because I can run all year-round. I mean it gets cold in the winter, but it’s not freezing. I like the weather. 

     

    TLR: What do you enjoy about Southeastern?

    CS: I like being able to still run, especially at the collegiate level. 

     

    TLR: Do you have any hobbies outside of running?

    CS: I like to play different sports like basketball, volleyball and tennis. Anything I can be active with. 

     

    TLR: Do you have any academic and athletic goals?

    CS: I have a 4.0 right now so I want to try to keep that. I am a biology major so it’s going to be hard.  For conference, I want to try to get Top 20 so I can move on to the next level of regionals. I want to keep moving up and improving. 

     

    TLR: What does being on the Cross Country team mean to you?

    CS: It means I have another family, and we’re all close. I have really close friends from the team. I love being on a team and running with them. 

     

    TLR: Do you have any inspirational figures and if so, why?

    CS: I would have to say my step dad because he pushed me to run in high school and he trained me. I think he’s my main motivator and definitely a role model for me. 

     

    TLR: How do you manage your time with balancing school, cross country and your personal life?

    CS: My personal life gets decreased by a lot, but I definitely study a lot and I just put the time for studying aside.

     

    TLR: Now that you’re a sophomore, looking back at your freshman year, what advice would you give your freshman self? Why?

    CS: I would tell myself to get out and talk to people because I still don’t have that many friends other than my teammates. 

    Leave a Comment
    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Your donation will support The Lion's Roar student journalists at Southeastern Louisiana University.
    In addition, your contribution will allow us to cover our annual website hosting costs.
    No gift is too small.

    Donate to The Lion's Roar
    $600
    $1000
    Contributed
    Our Goal

    Comments (0)

    Comments and other submissions are encouraged but are subject to The Lion's Roar Comments and Moderation Policy. All views expressed are those of the author and should not be interpreted as the views of The Lion's Roar, the administration, faculty, staff, or students of Southeastern Louisiana University.
    All The Lion's Roar Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *