Q & A With the 'Cats - Get to Know Katie Skinner

Year: Junior

Home Town: Portlandia

Major/Minor: International Relations/Studio Art

Why did you come to Linfield?

Perfect size, great xc team dynamic, super helpful staff in all departments, study abroad opportunities, overall great atmosphere and opportunity to succeed. Plus large dorm rooms for activities.

What is your fondest memory thus far from your time at Linfield?

1) Freshman year XC prom at the Ram’s Head; who knew weird cross-country runners could be so forkin’ fun?!

2) Carving pumpkins and feasting with the girl’s team!

3) My first art class at Linfield, twas an experience that made me never want to stop creating.

What is it that you enjoy most about cross-country?

1) The team dynamic is wonderful. We should all probably make an effort to make friends outside of the team…

2) Also the satisfaction of running a fast race, not much can compare to that feeling.

Who is your athletic hero/role-model?

I’ve always liked Kara Goucher because she’s from ma hood! But I don’t really have any particular person that I admire. I tend to pull different athletic philosophies and apply them to what I want to accomplish. I admire people who are successful but still lead a well rounded, entertaining and fulfilling life. They appreciate competition and winning but also the need to enjoy other niches within different realms of life.

Do you crinkle your race bib number or leave it smooth?

Crinkle, baby. Aerodynamics.

What’s your most embarrassing athletic moment?

Freshman year (of college) Conference race. I don’t think I have ever run that slowly. And it was all because I was mentally out of it, no injury or anything, just me being dumb.

What is your favorite movie?

Hook or Mrs. Doubtfire or Lord of the Rings: Two Towers. (Robin Williams or Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Tough call.)

What song is most played on your iPod?

Sea of Love by Cat Power.

What is your homepage on your computer?

- Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

What words of wisdom would you offer to a college-bound high school senior? 

1) Pick a college that you are out of your chair excited about when you get your acceptance letter/financial aid award letter. Too many people settle for a college and wish in the middle they had chosen another one. Go with your gut.
2) When you get to school, make an effort to just talk to people! Especially if you come to a school like Linfield. You can make so many connections if you just have conversations. It will make your whole college experience better if you find people you truly enjoy to be around.

3) Running wise, don’t overthink nothin’! Just run and do what you love to do. Have fun, focus on your opportunity to run with a team, and that you can always improve if you really want to. I came into college running and over thought every race, got too stressed and ended up running like an idiot. Just go out and run!

Katie Skinner taking it to the competition at the 2012 L&C Invitational.