University of Minnesota Athletics
On the Run with Nick Rink
11/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - Gophers newcomer Nick Rink is one of seven true freshmen on the Minnesota men's cross country roster this year.
A native of Appleton, Wis., Rink closed out his prep career by leading Kimberly High School to its first-ever state cross country title in 2015. The six-time all-state honoree also helped the school to the 2014 WIAA state track & field title as a sophomore while earning seven Fox Valley Association individual championships.
GopherSports.com caught up with one of the newest members of the Maroon & Gold as he kicks off his first year with the program.
Gophersports.com: What made you decide to be a runner?
Nick Rink: Both my parents ran in college at Augustana, so they always wanted their kids to run like them. They never pushed us, but they encouraged us to do so, and I've been running since elementary school.
GS: Do your siblings run in college too?
NR: I have two older siblings that go to Madison, and a twin brother that goes to Loyola in Chicago. My brother and sister who go to Madison run on the track club, and my other brother runs for Loyola.
GS: Why did you choose to come to Minnesota?
NR: I always wanted to go to a big school. I was looking at Madison and Minnesota. I thought Madison was where I was going to go originally because my brother and sister went there. After visiting Minnesota and seeing the atmosphere of this place and meeting the team, I really liked it here, so I came here instead.
GS: What made you decide to go into nursing?
NR: Both my parents are doctors, so I always wanted to do something in the medical field. I originally wanted to be a doctor or a surgeon and then I kept flipping around. My older brother who goes to Madison is looking into nursing, and he told me about it, and it sounded really interesting, so I decided to try it.
GS: What did you like about cross country skiing?
NR: I liked it because I've always only done cross country and track. My older brother did cross country skiing, and it looked fun. My friend senior year got me to join the team, and I really liked it.
GS: What has your experience been like growing up as a twin and then going to separate colleges?
NR: Growing up, it was nice having a brother who always did the same stuff as you. You could go through the experience together. We got sick of each other at times, but we never hated each other. Through high school we were really good friends so going to different schools has kind of been tough but at the same time it's been a nice break.
GS: What's your relationship like with your other siblings?
NR: With my brother and sister who go to Madison, we have snapchat streaks going. I snapchat with them every day. We keep track of what each other are doing on social media. There's no Gopher/Badger rivalry yet, but we're definitely aware of the fact that they're rivals. I'm sure we'll get along fine. My parents always support whatever we wanted to do.
GS: If you had your own talk show, who would be your first three guests, why?
NR: My first guests would probably be my parents. It's an obvious choice to have. They raised me and they motivate me the most. Second, would be a coach, probably Coach Plasencia. They're the people who know the most about me outside my friends. My third guest would be one of the guys on the team. I would either bring Alec Basten or Hamza Ali. Alec is my roommate. He's a very cool guy and is very upbeat and positive about everything. Hamza is super outgoing and a bit quirky but one of the most interesting guys on the team.
GS: What was your favorite and least favorite Halloween costume you've ever worn?
NR: My most memorable one was the time I went as the water tower of my little town. I was the Darboy Water Tower. My dad made a paper mache ball for my head. Everyone in my community liked that one because they all knew who I was right away. My least favorite would be a gladiator. I don't know why I did that. At the time I liked the costume but looking back I don't know why I ever would've picked that.
GS: What's been your most memorable life experience?
NR: Signing with Minnesota. It was the first major decision I ever made in my life. It was an exciting time, to finally be a part of something outside of my main group of people and my community.
