University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Meet the Newcomers: Megan Lundstrom
11/21/2019 8:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Get to know Gophers freshman Megan Lundstrom, a distance runner from Fargo, N.D.
Gopher Sports: How did you first get into running?
Megan Lundstrom: I loved to play outside and run when I was younger. I did track and always embraced the distance races. I did volleyball until freshman year of high school, but then I moved to Davies High School and didn't feel like their volleyball team was the right fit for me. I did track for the first time there, and I really enjoyed it and admired their distance program. Going into sophomore year, I participated in the cross country team's morning practices as a way to stay fit over the summer, and it just hooked me in. I really enjoyed it so I joined the team the next year. My two older brothers did cross country too and I thought that was cool, but I wanted to be different with volleyball, but I ended up joining cross country anyway.
GS: What was it about running that hooked you?
ML: I really liked the running community. The majority of people who run long distance know how to set long-term goals and achieve them. They're very motivated. I also like how much internal competitiveness there is, reaching new times. In volleyball and basketball, you were always kind-of competing against your teammates for a spot. In cross country and track, you are able to encourage everyone and work harder together to reach your goals. I like being able to push myself to different limits. I just like running. It's relaxing, and I love being able to just go outside and run.
GS: When did you realize that being a Division I runner was a realistic possibility for you?
ML: I was looking at schools before my senior year and started to get overwhelmed, but then I got an email for a running camp at the University of Minnesota and thought that it would be a good experience to learn about the campus and the community. I ended up going, and I met Coach Hopkins. I really enjoyed her coaching and her perspective. The girls were also really nice and motivated, both athletically and academically, and they were easy-going. I thought it would be really cool to be a part of something this amazing. The camp ended and Coach Hopkins said she would reach out to me. Then my senior cross country season started, and I was getting better and better. A lot of races, I was leading and pushing myself, but I wanted more of a challenge. I looked at a few Division III schools, and I didn't know if it would be as rewarding for me if I ended up being in a similar position to what I was in in high school. I wanted the challenge of going Division I. I remember comparing Division I and Division III and feeling like DIII would be a nice balance, but then I was so surprised to see how well-balanced all of the athletes on our cross country team are. They're super motivated.
GS: How did you pick the University of Minnesota?
ML: I'm thinking of going into dentistry, and the closest dental school for me was the University of Minnesota. I wanted a school where I could get in-state or reciprocity tuition, so that narrowed down my choices, but I still wanted to 'go away' from home to go to college. I wanted a new environment and a great place to learn and grow, and I felt inspired being on campus here.
GS: What are you most excited for this year?
ML: I'm excited for new experiences. I feel like going to college is a time where you learn a lot about yourself. My perspective is going to be widened and I'm going to learn a lot of things.
GS: Would you say you're more of a cross country runner or track runner?
ML: My favorite event is the 1600 meters, and I like in track how you know exactly how far you've gone and exactly how far you have left. I feel like cross country is more about the experience, running the course on the grass, up and down hills, with so many people around you. I think that's really cool.
GS: What was your first impression of the team?
ML: I had this impression in my mind before I met them that they were going to be really serious because it was a Division I program. I was so surprised when I met them that they're super smart, super funny, and great at running. I thought it was awesome that they could be all of those things.
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