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cavalier sports 10 CAVALIER CORNER Third-year Emily Mulhern earned All-ACC and All-Southeast Region accolades in cross country each of her first two seasons on Grounds, and has placed among the top 21 finishers at all the conference and regional races she has participated in. Here is Cavalier Corner's chat with the native of Ijamsville, Md. Cavalier Corner: You started running at age 5, but how did you find the path to competitive running? Mulhern: "My path to competitive running came about very organically. Running has always been a part of my life, starting out as something I did casually with my family and gradually becoming something I intrinsically pursued very passionately. "Through the transition, though, I have always made sure to keep things positive and I now view running as a lifestyle rather than a sport." Cavalier Corner: Most athletes use inspiration to grow in their chosen sport. Who served as early, and especially current, role models? Mulhern: "My role models throughout my running have been all of the wonderful teammates I have been lucky enough to share many miles with. When I was younger that was Meghan Lockett who shared all of my same crazy dreams for running. "When I got to UVA, I was spoiled with the wonderful team leaders we had. Cleo Boyd was an overall inspiration, Iona Lake taught me about balance, Sarah Astin was the definition of toughness, Carly Hamilton kept me laughing, and Megan Rebholz was by my side every step of the way." Cavalier Corner: Being an exemplary student-athlete with choices after Urbana High School in Ijamsville, Md., how and why did Virginia hit your radar? Mulhern: "I wanted to be a part of a community where ev- eryone was achieving at the highest level, all while maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. "I loved UVA's excellence in athletics and academics, but I was really enchanted by Charlottesville's charm and the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains." Cavalier Corner: Have Wahoo athletic, social, extracurricular and aca- demic learnings met your expectations so far? Mulhern: "All through high school I dreamed about the college experience so I had super high expectations coming in. Somehow UVA has not only met those expectations, but has far surpassed anything I could have imagined. "From winning the ACC cross country team title my first year to working at the Fried Center for Advancement of Potential to eating my way around Charlottesville with my friends and teammates, I have never been happier." Cavalier Corner: As a third-year student-athlete and kinesiology major, what life lessons will you take forward into the world? Mulhern: "I hope to go into a doctorate of physical therapy program, which will perfectly blend the lessons I have learned in the classroom and the ex- perience I have gained as an athlete. The kinesiology program has taught me about the physical science side of physical therapy and being an athlete has taught me about the mental side of physical therapy. "I have seen and experienced the hardships of injuries and how vital it is to have a supportive physical therapist facilitating the return to competition. UVA has equipped me with the tools to succeed as a physical therapist." — Jerry Reid five questions Cross Country Third-Year Emily Mulhern Mulhern is a two-time All-ACC and all-region honoree in cross country. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA