Michelle Louie ’24, from Los Altos, Calif., is a sophomore on women’s track and field. Recently named a Division-III All-American in the distance medley relay (DMR), Louie competes in multiple races, from the 60m to 400m. In this installment of “Seven Questions,” Louie discusses NCAA nationals, her goals for the upcoming spring season, and her favorite things to do off the track.
Lexi Linafelter: Do you have a favorite event you compete in?
Michelle Louie: My favorite event is the 200 [meter]. It’s short enough that you can run at full speed and not so long that you’re exhausted by the end. It was really fun to try it indoors this year—it’s one whole lap and you feel like you’re flying through the turns because they’re so tight.
LL: What was the most memorable moment from NCAA nationals in March?
ML: I remember finishing the relay and watching our last runner, Cassie Kearney ’22. All of the runners that had already gone were standing on the corner cheering [and] we could see Cassie come down the long stretch at the end. When she finished, she was obviously exhausted [and] we were celebrating and jumping on the ground with her.
LL: What is your favorite thing to do after a meet?
ML: Team dinners are always so much fun because everyone is so relaxed—tired and happy is the way I would describe it. I have a fun ritual… I don’t eat dessert or sweets the night before the race but the night after I go all out with the dessert and treat myself.
LL: What’s your favorite thing to do in Middlebury on a day off?
ML: In the winter, it was super fun to go skiing with friends. When it’s warm, I normally go to Bristol Falls or Falls of Lana. I really like to just get away from campus and spend time outside.
LL: What are you most looking forward to heading into the outdoor season?
ML: The opportunity to compete against more NESCAC schools. We compete against a lot of New England schools during the indoor season, but the spirit of competition at a NESCAC meet is hard to beat. The energy of NESCACs is really, really exciting and I’m looking forward to it, especially because we didn’t have it last season.
LL: What are your biggest goals for the rest of the season?
ML: Be a really great teammate. I want to be as supportive as possible on the great days and the bad days, in competition and in practice. The supportive environment is one of the great things about being a part of [the team], so I’m always trying to do my best to keep that going. For competition season in general, my goal is always to set personal bests.
LL: Which dining hall is your favorite and why?
ML: If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would’ve definitely said Ross––it’s such a nice eating atmosphere with the high ceilings and huge tables. However, I have a huge appreciation for Proctor now, primarily because of the pesto. I feel like that’s been a big game changer.
Editor’s Note: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
