University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Friday: Anastasia Korzenowski
10/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS -- Anastasia Korzenowski joins the Gopher women's cross country and track & field teams as a 2017 graduate of Chanhassen High School. Korzenowski has already competed in three 6K races as an unattached runner, posting a season-best time of 22:43.4. She finished as overall runner-up at the Oz Memorial at Les Bolstad Course.
Korzenowski reflects on how she began running, transitioning from high school to college, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into running?
Anastasia Korzenowski: When I started running, my parents actually forced me to do it. I didn't really want to, but they said I had to be in a sport and they thought I would be good at running. They just told me to try cross country, and then I started really liking it -- and clearly I like it since I'm still doing it!
GS: Do you consider yourself more of a cross country runner or a track runner?
AK: In cross country season, I consider myself a cross country runner and in track season, I consider myself a track runner. I just really like them both.
GS: What's your favorite distance to race?
AK: Probably the 1600m because I'm kind-of distance, but I also have a speed side. It's the middle ground for me, and I just think it's a very fun race.
GS: How did you pick the University of Minnesota?
AK: It was a long process. I looked at a lot of schools, but after my visit with Minnesota, I just really liked being around the campus and being around the team, talking to Coach Hopkins. Everything kind of clicked, and it just made sense for me.
GS: Do you know what you want to study?
AK: As of right now, I'm thinking retail merchandising because I've always really like fashion, and I've also always thought about studying business. It's kind of a combination between the two.
GS: What is your dream job?
AK: Probably being an executive buyer for a major clothing company.
GS: How did you get into fashion? Has it always been something you've liked?
AK: I've always really liked shopping, getting new clothes, and picking out outfits. Then, after my sophomore year of high school, I got a job at a clothing store and I really liked it. Since then, I got more into the idea of it as I looked into majors and things like that.
GS: Where is your favorite place to run in Minneapolis?
AK: Probably Carver Park, which is in Victoria, right by my house. I run there a lot. There are some really pretty trails.
GS: What has surprised you the most about college so far?
AK: Probably just the amount of meetings I have to go to and how much I realized I didn't really know. I guess I always thought I knew a lot about running and everything there was, and then you come in here and you realize there's actually a lot more to learn about.
GS: What's the proudest moment in your running career so far?
AK: The state cross country meet my senior year. I improved my place by a lot. It's hard to explain, but the feeling that I got after that race was probably the best feeling I've ever had. I just was really proud of my finish. It was a good last cross country race for high school.
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Players Mentioned
