Athlete of the Week: Rachele Schulist

This week’s Athlete of the Week is Rachele Schulist, a redshirt sophomore and top cross country runner for Michigan State. Schulist is currently leading the No. 2 ranked Spartan women, who brought home a first place team finish this past weekend at Minnesota’s Roy Griak Invitational.

Schulist has already received the title of USTFCCCA Women’s NCAA Division I National Athlete of the Week and Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week this season.

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What is your favorite Gatorade flavor?

“Grape!”

What is your pre-race ritual?

“I like to visualize the race and myself running strong and confidently, it helps me get into the right mindset. Also, I always pray before my races, which is important to me.”

What is your favorite cross country memory?

“Last year, running at the Roy Griak meet in Minnesota, our team was running together in a group near the front, and as we passed groups of spectators we heard them say, ‘Wow, look at Michigan State!’ and it made us just feel so proud to be wearing the Michigan State jersey. I remember getting goosebumps and this intense feeling of synergy as we all worked together to push ourselves beyond what we thought we were capable of. It is awesome to realize how much more successful you can be when you are working with a group of people who have the same goals and expectations as you do.”

What is your favorite track and field memory?

“Running the 5K at outdoor nationals this past spring in Eugene, Ore. It felt so amazing and rewarding to be running where Steve Prefontaine used to run, and in a venue filled with people who share the same passion and excitement for running.”

What is your favorite place to run?

“One of my favorite routes here at MSU is through the farms. It is so peaceful out there, and in the early mornings I can hear the cows mooing, which always makes me smile to myself a little bit. I also love running in my hometown of Holland, Mich. because it is near the lake and there are trees everywhere. I love to run in places that remind me of all the natural beauty there is.”

If you had to play a different sport at MSU, what would it be?

“If I could play a different sport at MSU, I would want to be a gymnast because I am awed by the abilities they have. The skills and tricks they can do, and the way they train their bodies to move and flip is so cool to me.”

It is 2 a.m. on a weekend and you are just getting home, what food are you ordering?

“I love to cook so I would probably just make something yummy at home. One of my favorites is parfaits with Greek yogurt. Otherwise, frozen yogurt is always a possibility. You can never get too much froyo.”

What do you want to do when you grow up?

“I would love to be an osteopathic doctor. The idea of treating people from a holistic approach really intrigues me, and inspires me to find new ways to help people naturally.”

What is your guilty pleasure TV show?

Revenge! I love it so much!”

Do you have a favorite class you have taken at MSU?

“COM 225 is probably my favorite class so far. We learned about the different ways people interact with other people, and why we do certain things in social situations. I like learning about why and how people do the things we do and think the way we do, it is very interesting to me.”

What’s your favorite thing to do when you are not running?

“I love to bake and cook and try new recipes, especially during the fall when the cooler weather makes it extra cozy at home. Hanging out with my teammates and doing low-key things such as browsing shops and getting froyo are always super fun. I like to drink tea (or coffee in the mornings), read and relax sometimes and just enjoy not always running.”

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Be sure to check back next Wednesday for the next Athlete of the Week feature.


Alexa McCarthy is the host of Last Leg for Impact Sports

Photo: Eric Evans and Nate Berratt for GoDucks.com