Recently we had a chance to speak with Wagner cross country standout Karina Acevedo. Acevedo claimed individual race honors to help lead the Seahawks to a fourth place finish at the 2001 NEC Championships, clocking in at 18:27 over the 5K course at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, PA.  Acevedo, who earned NEC Athlete of the Week honors twice last year, recently took home her third career accolade for her performance at the Wagner Invitational. The senior captain won the meet for the third time in her career, finishing the race in 19:21.8.  Acevedo recorded her two fastest times this season at the CCSU Invitational on September 7, where she crossed the tape in 19:03, followed by a 19:04 showing at the highly competitive Metropolitan Championships on October 8.  Currently, Wagner is running strong behind the leadership of Acevedo as she looks to defend her individual crown this weekend at the 2002 NEC Championships at Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, CT.

Name: Karina Acevedo
School: Wagner
Sport: Women’s Cross Country
Year: Senior

Hometown: Staten Island, New York
High school: Middletown
Major: Math
Notable Award: 2001 NEC Individual Champion, 2001 NEC All-Conference

Favorite TV show: Friends and the Bachelor
Favorite Movie: Saving Private Ryan
Favorite Music: A little bit of everything
Hobbies: Reading, listening to music, photography
Favorite Class/Professor: Modern Physics taught by Dr. Ottoraths

NEC: Why did you choose to come to Wagner?
KA: The location is great. I liked the small campus where I have more one-on-one time with the teachers. It is a beautiful campus with great facilities and Wagner had the major I wanted.

NEC: What career do you wish to pursue after graduation?
KA: I want to go to graduate school for engineering

NEC: Do you feel any pressure this year after having such a great season last year?
KA: I do feel pressure, but it is welcomed. Being able to achieve great success makes the pressure that comes after more understood. Now I pressure myself more to achieve success again and surpass it.

NEC: How do you feel about your performance at the highly competitive Metropolitan Championships?
KA: I felt good that day. I am looking to enjoy myself and have fun this year. I am capable of doing so much, but my main goal is to cross the line.

NEC: How are you gearing up for the Championship this weekend?
KA: Basically I am going about my normal routine. We need to feel comfortable all week and not get stressed out. I am looking forward to prepping the team. We will have a team meeting and a team dinner the night before the race. Bonding is very important right now.

NEC: What will it take for you to repeat this year as individual champ?
KA: The field is a lot tougher this year. There is more competition and young talent in the conference. It’s going to be harder, but I need to be comfortable and run at my pace.

NEC: Who is your biggest competition at the Championships this year?
KA: St. Francis (PA) is always good competition. Kristen Cerasi is one of the toughest in the conference. Also the young girls from Quinnipiac will be tough. 

NEC: What motivational tactics do you use for yourself and the team?
KA: I try to bring the team together as a pack. For instance, at the Seahawk Shootout Rachael (Knous) and myself ran with the second pack talking to them the whole time. We want to work as a team and stay together.

NEC: What is your role on the team?
KA: As the team captain I am always available for my teammates for everything. I talk to them as well as organize certain things to bring the team together.

NEC: How long have you been running?
KA: I started running when I was a sophomore in high school

NEC: How did you get started?
KA: My older brother ran in high school. I wanted to try it, but his coach told me I was too short. He said to try soccer, so that’s what I did in middle school. Ultimately, because he said I couldn’t run, that pushed me to make it my #1 priority.

NEC: What’s the toughest course?
KA: Van Cortland Park is very tough. It has extremes, either all hills or all flat. I like courses with variety.

NEC: What’s your favorite course?
KA: My home course.

NEC: Who is your biggest influence?
KA: My team at Wagner is a big influence, as well as, my coach and family. I know we are stronger than when I came here three years ago. I feel like I helped Wagner grow from a small team into one that is more competitive. As I leave Wagner, I am confident that the program is bigger and stronger.

NEC: What’s the most important attribute a cross country runner needs?
KA: A good mind set, as well as a strong heart.

NEC: Describe how it felt when you were named 2001 NEC Outstanding Performer?
KA: I was very excited. It made me proud, not just for myself, but proud to experience this award with my coaches and teammates.

NEC: What is the most memorable moment in your athletic career?
KA: My most memorable moment was in high school when I was selected to run the last 2 ½ miles of the New York City Marathon. I truly saw the meaning of running. It was a great experience to be able to witness what people go through and why they love to run. I saw the heart and souls of people and it made me want to run 100 times more.

NEC: A your collegiate career comes to an end, what have you learned from running cross country?
KA: I have learned time management, patience, persistence and perseverance. I learned that with an individual sport it is difficult to come together as a team, but it is possible.

- Interview conducted by Dawn Van Cleef, NEC Administrative Intern