Name: Cassidy Scott

Age: 21

Hometown: Waddington, NY

Sport: Track and Cross Country

Major: Biology

 

How long have you been running track and/or cross country? How did you get into the sport?

I started running track when I was 15. I was riding the bench on the basketball team and decided I wanted to try something new. My high school didn’t have an indoor track team so my brother would drive me and a few neighborhood kids to Canton High School every day where we would run with the team. A few years later, I had quit all my sports and was running three seasons.

 

What made you want to join the team at SLU?

When I was 16, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a degenerative autoimmune disease that destroys joint tissue. Running and staying active is one of the best ways to build muscle and bone strength and support poorly functioning joints later in life. I thought that joining the team at SLU would keep me motivated to stay active and take control of my health while enjoying being on a team and preforming a competitive activity.

 

What has been your favorite experience on the team so far?

Every year, I love watching the first years in their first few meets of the season. It’s always exciting to see them take off and show so much talent! I am especially excited about our group this year.

 

What makes SLU’s track team so unique?

Despite participating in a very demanding sport that takes up a lot of time and physical and mental energy, our team is still very involved in lots of things on campus. We have people studying to be doctors, nurses, and entrepreneurs, people in music groups, SLU EMS, working on-campus jobs, and running their own clubs. It’s truly an amazing group of people that are talented in a myriad of ways.

 

What is your competition/practice schedule like?

We practice at 4:15 p.m. every weekday and are usually travelling Friday afternoon/evening after practice to Saturday meets. Although we get Sundays off, we are still expected to work out, lift or do rehab on our own during that time.

 

Do you have any pre-competition rituals?

In my last trip to the bathroom before the race, I like to power pose in the stall for at least 30 seconds for confidence.

 

What do you do to celebrate a win?

Eat chocolate, but I usually do this anyway!

 

Who would you say is your biggest fan?

My parents! Even before my illness was under control, they were always supportive of me continuing to do what I loved. Regardless of the outcome, they always remind me of how lucky I am to be running competitively and how proud they are to be the parents of a saint!