Senior Lauren Alpert is a much-decorated indoor and outdoor track athlete at Illinois Wesleyan - just this March, she was a two-time indoor track All-American as part of the school-record 4x400 relay team and also by finishing fourth in the 400.
Also this year she was named female "Track Athlete of the Meet" in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin meet (won by IWU) as she was the winner of the long jump, the 200 meter dash, the 400 meter run, ran a leg on the champion 4x400 meter relay team and got second in the triple jump.
A psychology major at Illinois Wesleyan, she is the daughter of Patti Alpert and Martin Alpert.
Why you chose Illinois Wesleyan: There was something in the air, I knew, all around, I fit here. And I'd lie if I say Coach Shoe was not a big part of the final choice.
IWU class you’re most qualified to teach: Human Anatomy/Physiology or Kinesiology… my two favorite classes
The hardest challenge about being a Division III student-athlete is: loss of extra time / being too tired to use the time you have.
Worst grade in a class you ever got – what and when? A sub-par B- in second semester general chemistry… do not get me started, I am still sour about it.
I’m deathly afraid of ... I’m not going to answer this so it’s not used against me ?
Worst habit: talking too fast and too much
Most expensive traffic ticket: I’ve never had a ticket… that I’ve had to pay for (been in one accident that was not my fault)
Language I’d like to learn: I started Italian in high school, but only had one year, so I’d love to learn more.
The longest I could survive without my cell phone: I cannot. As bad as this is, it’s almost surgically attached to my hand. I actually sleep with it.
Your usual response to “What’s going on?”: “Oh, you know, same old, and you?”
Favorite sports figures: It’s a toss-up over Fawn, Kara, Shalane, Allyson, Sanya and Lolo. They’re all track pros.
My greatest moment in sports was: Team-wise, watching Tara Clemens hold third place in the 4x400 to clinch the team NCAA outdoor National Championship for us in 2010; individually – my first, unexpected individual All-American award as a freshman – fifth place in the long jump
The best player I ever faced was: As much as it pains me to say it, the women’s team from Wartburg College. They reproduce incredible talent like rabbits.
Worst dresser on my team: I run with a bunch of skinny guys in wildly short shorts… enough said.
Thing that’s been in my fridge the longest: probably some sort of leftovers, I’m terrible about forgetting they’re there.
Person I’m dying to have dinner with: all four of my grandparents – they all passed away when I was very young
Favorite food: raspberries
Vegetable I won’t eat: brussel sprouts or peas
Pepsi or Coke?: I’ve never liked pop, so neither.
Favorite TV show: "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", my guilty pleasure
Favorite musical groups: Lifehouse and Lady Antebellum
Favorite movie: I have three: "August Rush", "Freedom Writers" and "The Blind Side"
If a movie were made of my life, I would like the following person to play me: Reese Witherspoon
The people in history I would most like to meet are: Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Teresa
My dream job would be: track and field related; though it’s safe to say I’m living a dream of sorts in going to PT school
Place I’d most like to live: anywhere I’m meant to be, wherever the wind takes me… maybe East Coast
Two things that are tops on my “bucket list”: 1) save a life 2) run a 54 second 400
My possession that would fetch the most on eBay: I don’t use eBay, but if I did, maybe my gold Irish claddagh ring?
What I miss most about being in the third grade: gel pens and Field Day
