UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Freshman cross country/track & field student-athlete Maddie Ullom spoke about her first few weeks in Happy Valley as a part of our Freshman Focus series. Maddie comes to Happy Valley from Mason, Ohio where she attended William Mason High School.
While at William Mason, Maddie was twice named the GMC Athlete of the Year, earned five all-state honors between cross country and track & field. She captured a state title as a member of the 4x800m relay team and was twice named conference Runner of the Year.
Read below for Maddie's Q&A.
Q: What were the main reasons you chose Penn State and this program?
A: I chose Penn State because it felt like home when I visited. The team is like a family and everyone wants to be successful in all aspects of life. Also, Happy Valley is something special.
Q: What has been something you've enjoyed about your first few weeks in Happy Valley?
A: Just being with my teammates. The freshmen on the team are super tight and having those immediate friendships as soon as you get onto campus has been great.
Q: What do you plan on majoring in and why?
A: I plan on majoring in biobehavioral health with a minor in human development and family studies. I love learning about how mind and body work together and I want to help people and help them learn how to better themselves.
Q: How has the transition to training at this level been compared to high school?
A: I feel like it has been going really well for me. I felt like it wasn't too big of a jump from high school. The intensity of the workouts is a step up for sure, and I am also doing more mileage than in high school. But I feel that I have adapted really well and I felt prepared coming in off summer training.
Q: If there is one thing you absolutely must bring with you from home to Penn State what is it?
A: Definitely my robe. I mean it's great for so many things, when you get out of the shower, when you get cold in the dorm, when you just are feeling super fashionable. I mean it's great!
Q: Who inspired you most as an athlete and why?
A: I wouldn't say I have a specific person, but many people, especially my older teammates here at Penn State and when I was in high school. I look up to them and their leadership and strive to be the best I can be for the team and myself.
Q: When did you know you wanted to run in college?
A: I knew I wanted to run in college from a really young age. It's always something I had in the back of my mind as my plan for when I was older. Both my parents were college athletes. My mom ran at Purdue and my dad was a swimmer there so it wasn't like a foreign idea to me. I just knew that I loved running and that it was what I was meant to do.
Q: What has been your favorite workout/place to run in State College?
A: My favorite workout so far has been the 2xmile, 2x800 and 2x400 workout that we did on the track last week. I loved it and it was on the track so an immediate favorite. But a close second would be 1k repeats at Gamelands. Gamelands is probably my favorite location, it's really pretty.
Q: Favorite Creamery ice cream flavor?
A: My favorite Creamery ice cream flavor has to be arboretum breeze, so good.
