Recently we had a chance to speak with Fairleigh Dickinson Women’s Outdoor Track & Field standout Everlyne Cheptoo. Adding to the junior's growing list of achievements, Cheptoo most recently picked up a third place finish in the 5,000 meters (17:36.77) at the highly competitive Metropolitan Championships on April 12.  Cheptoo, the 2002 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Most Outstanding Performer, led the Knights to a fifth place finish at last year’s meet. In her sophomore campaign, the Eldoret, Kenya native claimed NEC individual honors in the 5,000 meters (17:35.12) and 10,000 meters (36:30.56). Cheptoo and the Knights will compete at the 2003 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 3 & 4 hosted by UMBC in Baltimore, MD.

Name: Everlyne Cheptoo
School: Fairleigh Dickinson
Sport: Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Year: Junior

Hometown: Eldoret, Kenya
High school: Sing’ore Girls
Major: International Relations
Notable Award: 2002 NEC Most Outstanding Performer  

Favorite TV show: ESPN
Favorite Movie: Bad Company 
Favorite Music: Country, R&B and Gospel
Hobbies: Playing basketball, racquetball and volleyball
Favorite Class/Professor: International Relations/Dr. Fatemi

NEC: Why did you choose to come to FDU?
EC: It’s a good university with good academics. The staff and location are great. I also like the fact that it is an international university, so it has a homey feeling. 

NEC: What career do you wish to pursue after graduation?
EC: I want to work with the United Nations. 

NEC: Do you feel any pressure this year after having such a great season last year?
EC: I do feel added pressure. It’s very competitive and calls for more training and more discipline now.  

NEC: Describe how you felt when you were named 2002 NEC Most Valuable Performer?
EC: It felt great to bring this honor to my team, my school and myself.

NEC: How are you gearing up for the Championship in a couple of weeks?
EC: I am training very hard with long runs. Being in shape is very important, so you have to practice and push yourself hard.  

NEC: What will it take for FDU to win and for you to repeat in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters this year?
EC: We have to come together as a team. Every individual has to do more and their best in order to win this year. 

NEC: Who is your biggest competition at the Championships this year?
EC: UMBC and St. Francis (PA) are big competition.

NEC: What is your role on the team this year?
EC: I try to motivate my teammates and tell them not to lose hope. I give them inspiration like they give to me and I always try to stay positive. 

NEC: How long have you been competing?
EC: I started my first year of college. 

NEC: How did you get started?
EC: I come from a country where people appreciate running, so I guess my fellow Kenyans inspired me. I felt like I was good at it and wanted to explore running. 

NEC: Where is your favorite place to compete?
EC: It really depends on the weather and how I am felling, so I don’t have any preference with the place.

NEC: Who are some people that have influenced you the most?
EC: My professors, parents and whole FDU community influence me in many ways. My coaches also give me direction. 

NEC: What have you learned from competing at FDU?
EC: I learned that running is a tough sport and discipline is a big factor. The way you train is how you compete, so you have to push yourself. I also learned that being disciplined helps you in other areas of life. 

NEC: What’s the most important attribute a track athlete needs?
EC: You need to have self-discipline because it is an individual sport. Everything comes from within you, so mental toughness is important.

NEC: What is the most memorable moment in your athletic career?
EC: It was a moving moment for me when I broke the 10,000 meters record at last year’s outdoor championships.

- Interview conducted by Dawn Van Cleef, NEC Administrative Intern