Krista Cota
Steve Woltmann

Women's Track and Field

Cardinal Close-Up: Krista Cota

Krista Cota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Feb. 13, 2012 -  Whether it's her opponents on the track, the high jump bar, or her homework, Krista Cota knows how to soar over her obstacles.  As she begins her third indoor track and field season at North Central College, the junior knows what it takes to be successful both on and off the track.

As a freshman, Cota ran on the distance medley relay team that finished fifth at the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Indoor Championships and also finished third in the high jump.  Last season, the business management major qualified for the NCAA Division III Indoor and Outdoor National Championships in the 800-meter run.  She competed on the 4x400 meter relay team that finished third and the distance medley relay team that finished seventh at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships, earning All-America honors in both events.  The 4x400 relay team set a North Central record with a time of 3:50.01.

At the Outdoor Championships, Cota earned All-America honors again as a member of the 4x400 relay team which placed fourth and set a new outdoor school record (3:46.08). She was an individual CCIW Champion indoors in the 800 as well and earned Academic All-CCIW honors.

The current CCIW leader in the mile run (5:04.96) this season, Cota is looking to build on all of her personal bests and further contribute to the team's efforts at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Get to Know Krista Cota
Q: How long have you participated in track & field?
A: I started running track when I was in seventh grade.

Q: What is your favorite thing about track & field?
A: I like being part of the team.  It's fun to get out there and compete along with being around the other girls.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: Different coaches have told me different things, such as to relax, be confident, and trust my training.

Q: What other sports did you play in high school?
A: I played volleyball until my sophomore year then I decided to go out for cross country instead.

Q: Of the events you compete in, which is the most difficult?
A: They are all difficult in their own way; distance running really tests your endurance while high jump is frustrating in ways because it's all about technique.

Q: What was it like to compete at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships last season?
A: It was a lot of fun and really exciting.  Of course it was very nerve-racking too.  It was just a great experience especially because I got to share it with the other relay members.  It was just a lot of fun.

Q: What are your main goals as you go forward this season?
A: We have a lot of team goals this year; we want to place higher at Nationals than we did last year.  Personally, I just want to improve my marks from last year and contribute to the team at Nationals.

Q: What is your most memorable track & field moment?
A: It was last year at the indoor last chance meet.  There were a lot of good 4x400 teams there and we set the indoor school record.  I'll never forget that.

Q: What other sports do you like to go and watch on campus?
A: I really like to watch the football, basketball, and men's (track) teams.  They've all been really fun to watch.

Q: What is the best class you have taken here at North Central?
A: Philosophy of Coaching with Al Carius. He's a great teacher and a great person to listen to.  He has a lot of great ideas and I've learned a lot in that class.

Q: What is the best part of being a Business Management major?
A: I like it because you get little pieces of all of the different business aspects, and it's all really interesting.  I feel like I've learned a lot and can use that not only in my professional life but in my personal life as well.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I'm graduating with my (bachelor's) degree at the end of this year so I have options.  Maybe get my master's here at North Central so I can compete for my fourth year.  But for now I'm keeping my options open.

Q: Who are your role models?
A: I've learned a lot from a lot of people.  Of course my parents and previous coaches I've had.  Especially the girls on the team last year, I learned a lot from them.
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