University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Track & Field
Meet the Newcomers: Marta Kogucki
11/11/2019 7:56:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Get to know Gophers freshman Marta Kogucki, a distance runner from La Grange Highlands, Ill.
MINNEAPOLIS -- Freshman Marta Kogucki joins the Golden Gophers cross country and track & field program as a distance runner from La Grange Highlands, Ill. Kogucki shares the how she got into running and chose the University of Minnesota, her academic goals, and more.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into running?
Marta Kogucki: My older brother tried running when he was in sixth grade, so I saw him do that and thought it looked like a fun sport. I ended up really liking it and getting good at it. He's three years older than me. I started officially in sixth grade.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
MK: I played soccer growing up, and I did badminton during the spring my freshman year of high school. It's a way harder sport than people think! The conditioning is horrible. I also played basketball in seventh and eighth grades.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
MK: I loved the community aspect of cross country because it's such a team effort. Yes, you're out there running by yourself, but there's so much community on the team. I also liked the mental push of the sport; there's always another limit you push yourself to break and achieve. I enjoy surprising myself. The act of running is very calming. Things sort themselves out when you're running; it's easy to have a clear mind when you're running.
GS: When did you realize that being a Division I runner was a realistic possibility for you?
MK: I was talking to a lot of schools and coaches and seeing what my options were. I didn't have a ton of requirements. I just wanted a big school with a lot of major options, including architecture. I didn't care where it was. I had reached out to Coach Hopkins and learned that I wasn't yet at the level for a walk on, but I kept working and eventually got offers from Minnesota and another Division I school. I was leaning more toward Division III, but then I learned more about the academic options. Once I actually committed, it was surreal but I knew I wanted a team that gave me enough competition where I could start at the bottom and grow.
GS: How did you pick the University of Minnesota?
MK: The school I wanted had to have architecture, along with other majors I'm interested in just in case architecture didn't work out. It was important for me to start in the program. I was also really interested in environmental studies or psychology in case I decided to change programs. I'm also pretty set on having a Spanish minor, so I knew I wanted a school with a lot of majors. I wanted to go to a big school, which Minnesota definitely is. I ended up liking the campus a lot when I came to visit, plus the tuition was a good option for me. I felt like I clicked with the coaching staff, too.
GS: What are you most excited for this year?
MK: I'm excited to see where I go academically and where I go with running. I've already had a lot of fun with the team. I'm excited about having independence and making new friends, including the team and on campus. In college, I feel like you meet people from all over and are diverse, so I'm excited for that.
GS: Would you say you're more of a cross country or track runner?
MK: I like cross country more although track has grown on me over the years. I don't know which one I am necessarily better at, but I feel like I've made progress in both areas.
GS: What was your first impression of the team?
MK: The team is so kind and welcoming. Everyone is always willing to help out with anything you need.
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Gopher Sports: How did you first get into running?
Marta Kogucki: My older brother tried running when he was in sixth grade, so I saw him do that and thought it looked like a fun sport. I ended up really liking it and getting good at it. He's three years older than me. I started officially in sixth grade.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
MK: I played soccer growing up, and I did badminton during the spring my freshman year of high school. It's a way harder sport than people think! The conditioning is horrible. I also played basketball in seventh and eighth grades.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
MK: I loved the community aspect of cross country because it's such a team effort. Yes, you're out there running by yourself, but there's so much community on the team. I also liked the mental push of the sport; there's always another limit you push yourself to break and achieve. I enjoy surprising myself. The act of running is very calming. Things sort themselves out when you're running; it's easy to have a clear mind when you're running.
GS: When did you realize that being a Division I runner was a realistic possibility for you?
MK: I was talking to a lot of schools and coaches and seeing what my options were. I didn't have a ton of requirements. I just wanted a big school with a lot of major options, including architecture. I didn't care where it was. I had reached out to Coach Hopkins and learned that I wasn't yet at the level for a walk on, but I kept working and eventually got offers from Minnesota and another Division I school. I was leaning more toward Division III, but then I learned more about the academic options. Once I actually committed, it was surreal but I knew I wanted a team that gave me enough competition where I could start at the bottom and grow.
GS: How did you pick the University of Minnesota?
MK: The school I wanted had to have architecture, along with other majors I'm interested in just in case architecture didn't work out. It was important for me to start in the program. I was also really interested in environmental studies or psychology in case I decided to change programs. I'm also pretty set on having a Spanish minor, so I knew I wanted a school with a lot of majors. I wanted to go to a big school, which Minnesota definitely is. I ended up liking the campus a lot when I came to visit, plus the tuition was a good option for me. I felt like I clicked with the coaching staff, too.
GS: What are you most excited for this year?
MK: I'm excited to see where I go academically and where I go with running. I've already had a lot of fun with the team. I'm excited about having independence and making new friends, including the team and on campus. In college, I feel like you meet people from all over and are diverse, so I'm excited for that.
GS: Would you say you're more of a cross country or track runner?
MK: I like cross country more although track has grown on me over the years. I don't know which one I am necessarily better at, but I feel like I've made progress in both areas.
GS: What was your first impression of the team?
MK: The team is so kind and welcoming. Everyone is always willing to help out with anything you need.
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