Athlete Spotlight - Katelynn Zidanic

Note: This story was originally featured on the Landmark Conference's official website on January 10.

The Landmark Conference is full of talented student-athletes and the "Friday Focus" is just one way fans can get to know them. This week the conference introduces Katelynn Zidanic (York, Pa./Central York), Goucher cross country and track runner.

Zidanic is a senior for the Gophers. A three-sport student-athlete, Zidanic competes as a member of the cross country, indoor, and outdoor track & field teams. She missed the track season last year while studying abroad, but placed sixth in the 5000 meters at the 2012 Landmark Indoor Championships. Zidanic holds Goucher records in the 4x1600 meter relay and 4000 meter distance medley relay in indoor as well as the 3000 meter steeplechase in outdoor. She earned Second Team All-Conference honors at the 2013 Landmark Cross Country Championships.

Katelynn Zidanic
Senior, Women's Indoor Track & Field
York, Pa./Central York
Major: Business Management

Why did you choose to attend Goucher?
Goucher offers an incredibly friendly student body, professors, and staff. The study abroad requirement is an opportunity that I always dreamed about. I also had two requirements for choosing a school: (1) to be able to run with a team and (2) trees, I really wanted my college campus to have plenty of trees.

What does it mean to you to be a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
We are not paid to show up to practice everyday. As DIII student-athletes, we come to practice and are ready to work hard because we love what we do. We are passionate, hard-working, and well balanced.

What has been the greatest part of your experience as a college athlete so far?
Running collegiate cross country has been a test to my strength and will. I cannot look at one singluar aspect because my entire gradual experience has been profoundly life changing and I have learned so much about myself along the way. My team has become an immense support system... these are friends that I have made for the rest of my life.

Who has been the most influential person in your athletic career? Why?
Coach John Caslin has, by far, been incredibly motivating for me. From the beginning of my time at Goucher we established a runner-coach relationship based on honesty and respect. My success can partially be attributed to wanting to please my Coach, my teammates, and myself.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself helping others where ever fate brings me, hopefully within a non-profit in Baltimore or Philadelphia doing work in natural disaster relief or international refugees. And running, I will most likely be running.

What is something most people do not know about you?
I can lick my elbow.

Rapid Fire

Favorite food: dessert
Favorite band/artist: The Avett Brothers
Favorite book: The Color Purple
Favorite movie: Fried Green Tomatoes
Favorite class you've taken: Images of Church and God in African American Literature
Favorite place to visit: home
Favorite sport (besides track/XC): baseball
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving