Panther Profile: Claire Holtkamp

Claire Holtkamp is a junior at Mt. Pleasant and a member of the Panther cross-country team.

Holtkamp is one of a handful of talented juniors that have helped the Panther girls rise to the top in the Southeast Conference. She finished 15th in last year's conference meet.

Holtkamp met with The News on Wednesday after practice. The questions are in bold with her answers following.

Did you grow up here in Mt. Pleasant? No. I actually grew up a half mile east of Houghton and went to Ft. Madison.

When did you come over here? Fourth grade, to Salem.

How long have you been running cross-country? Since seventh-grade.

What got you into it? A little bit of my family. I had some older cousins that were running it, and I just really liked running.

Do you know what you're doing after high school? Well, I have no idea where I want to go to college, but I would like to go into either bio chemistry, chemical engineering or animal science. Thos are my top three.

What is your favorite part of race day? Definitely the adrenaline and getting together with the team, because we get kind of pumped up before a race and get really excited to run, especially this season.

Do you have a favorite course that you run at? Fairfield.

Is there a reason? I don't know. Probably just the scenery and going back behind the lake away from the crowd.

I know you guys don't listen to music when you run, but if you were to have music playing in the background, what kind of music would you pick? County! Grew up with country, run with country.

Do you have a favorite country artist? Not really. Just kind of the new country right now.

What is something about Coach Murray that not a lot of people know? Just that he's a really fun, chill guy. Since he's an officer, people assume other ideas about him, but he's just really fun. Great coach.

So he never does any barrel roles or anything he learned from police training during practice? No, but I would not be surprised if he did!

If Coach Murray had a mute button, who would he use it the most on? I don't know, either M.J. (Maggie Jennings) or Aurora (Vansickle)…maybe me!

Do you have any irrational fears? Hospitals. I'm definitely scared of hospitals.

Really, how come? I don't know. They've always freaked me out. That's one of my biggest fears.

Are you one of those people who wait as long as they can to go? I don't go. If I'm sick, I go to school, come back the next day still sick, go back to school. No hospitals for me! Once a year physical so I can run cross.

What would you rather win tickets to: The Oscars, the Superbowl or a Presidential Debate? The Oscars. I don't keep up with a lot of celebrities and stuff but I definitely like watching movies.

If you could go out for a new sport today that you haven't already played in high school, what would it be? Soccer.

Is that something you played when you were younger? When I was in like, elementary and a little bit of elementary, I did soccer. I really like the running part, so that's what got me into cross and track a bit.

If you could spend the day with one celebrity, who would you choose? I don't think I'd spend the day with a celebrity. I'm chill with the normal people.

So never want to meet any celebrity? I don't see the point. I like the people I'm with!

What if you could have a super power for the rest of your life? Probably flying. I'd like to be able to fly. That'd be cool.

Let's say I had the magic to give you the flying power right now, where is the first place you're going? I'd like to go to Alaska. I think that would be cool. I just want to see it.

Who is your favorite teacher? That's hard. I love pretty much all of my teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Depriest or Mrs. Kohorst are my top ones. I can't choose.

Do you have any shout outs? Shout out to Abby Blint, who's listening in on this interview.

Panther Profile is a series of interviews with Mt. Pleasant athletes currently in season. This season will focus on members of the Panther cross-country, football and volleyball teams.