The Observer, April 11, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 24
Spartan Spotlight :John Jensenius
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John Jensenius is a senior economics and computer science major from Cumberland, Maine. (Actually pronounced Cumbahland in the regional dialect.) John runs track and field here at Case.
Greg Meyer: I am guessing track and field is more involved than it looks. What is one thing people don't know about running track?
John Jensenius: Fluorescent short shorts make you run faster.
GM: Well, they might make people who aren't wearing them run faster away from you, but I think you are fooling yourself John. What goes through your mind during a race?
JJ: I am constantly evaluating everything that is going on internally and externally. Track is an incredibly mental sport.
GM: I feel you, man. Running in circles is really cerebral. What is the high point in the track season?
JJ: UAAs. We work all year to get to this point.
GM: I can relate. I am just waiting until next fall…Finish this sentence: Track is like a girl…
JJ: I plead the fifth.
GM: Who are you, OJ? What is your least favorite thing about track?
JJ: Having bad races. On top of doing poorly, they always seem to hurt more.
GM: Well, I hope your good races don't hurt. Would you rather have the strength of 1000 men, be able to fly, or be invisible?
JJ: Be able to fly. I've always wanted to be able to fly, plus I could win high jump.
GM: Of all the cool things you could do when you fly, and you pick high jump? You are really dedicated. What are some of your hobbies or extracurricular activities?
JJ: Trying to graduate.
GM: Aren't we all. What are some of your athletic honors?
JJ: Best costume at this past year's Great Pumpkin Race in Lakewood.
GM: Right on. Toss that one up there right next to the first-place trophy from the UAA meet this year, right? Who is your favorite athlete?
JJ: Billy Mills.
GM: Pulling off one of the greatest Olympic upsets in 1964, not a bad person to admire. Who or what inspired you to run track?
JJ: I dunno…I just like to run…
GM: You aren't into ping pong by any chance, are you? Have you ever run clear across Greenbough county or the great state of Alabama? Just checking. If you could be a girl for a day what would you do?
JJ: Run regressions. Again with the whole trying to graduate thing…
GM: You must be out of control on Friday and Saturday nights. If you could participate in any other sport, which would you pick and why?
JJ: Soccer, because you get to kick things while you run. When I do that now people just give me funny looks.
GM: Probably the same looks you get when you are wearing those shorts, huh? What would we find in your locker right now that might surprise us?
JJ: An empty Starburst wrapper. If you were expecting that, there is something wrong with you.
GM: I concur. Who is the best athlete you have ever competed with and why?
JJ: My high school teammate Ben True. My team here at Case is amazing, but it is hard to top a three-sport (cross country, Nordic skiing, and outdoor track) DI All-American.
GM: Nordic skiing? I didn't know that was a DI sport. I think I missed my calling. Any insight on how the season is going so far?
JJ: We've had some pretty solid performances across the board. I'm looking forward to seeing what goes down in Chicago.
GM: Sounds good, John. Keep on keepin' on.
