Name: Maggie Infeld
Sport: Track and Field
Position: Middle-distance runner
Hometown: University Heights, Ohio
High School: Beaumont High School
School/Year: COL ’08
Major: Psychology and pre-med
HS Highlights: All-American in the mile, 4×800-meter, Sprint Medley Relay, and Distance Medley Relay; Nine-time State Champion in the 1600m, 800m, and 4x800m. State-meet record holder in the 1600m.
GU Highlights: 2005: All-American in the 1500m and the DMR, fifth place at the regional cross country meet. 2006: Provisional qualifying time in the mile for the NCAA championships; first place in the mile at the Yale Invitational; first place in the 1000m at the Virginia Tech Invitational
When did you first start running track? I started in sixth grade. We just had practice two days a week, so it was pretty low key. I started because my softball games kept getting rained out and I wanted to play a sport that would carry on despite the yucky Cleveland weather. Some of my friends were joining the track team, so I kind of followed suit.
What was the best moment in your career so far? In high school I would say winning the state title in the 4×8 my junior year. The race was really built up. We were the underdogs that year, but pulled off winning it for the third straight time. Here, it would be the trials of the 1500m at outdoor NCAA. I ran my fastest time by six seconds, and qualified to the finals. That was a rush. Competing with my teammates on the DMR at indoor NCAA’s last year was also a highlight.
Who’s your biggest rival? I’d say Villanova. They are in the Big East and in our region for cross country. Our teams are pretty evenly matched. There’s really no competition among girls on my team, we support each other. I love the girls on the team.
Who on the team do you rely on the most? I want to name like four people. My middle distance group: Nana Hanson-Hall (COL ’07), Meghan O’Neil (COL ’06), Liz Maloy (COL ’07) and Erin Henry (MSB ’06). They push the workouts. They are just good people. They are fun to be around. They make practice fun.
What is the biggest sacrifice you have had to make for track? I don’t want to say the “social thing” because my coach is so going to get mad. He is going to read this! Definitely, its fun, but it does cut into academics and one’s social life. We do not have the typical college experience, which can be love-hate at times.
What is your best event? The mile.
What do you do to get psyched for a meet? We always chow down the night before -usually a big pasta dinner. Before races, I listen to songs that pump me up, usually embarrassing pop songs, like this one Ricky Martin and Christiana Aguilera song from a couple years ago.
Superstitions? We wear ribbons in our hair for good luck. I still wear the ones Liz got for us during cross country season.
If you could be great at any other sport or event besides track, what would it be? Basketball! I want to be on the men’s basketball team! When I was watching the Duke game, I wanted to be out on the court. I was so pumped up and it looked like so much fun.
What is your biggest fear on and off the track? On, getting tripped. Last year, I got tripped. We had flown to Atlanta, and I was running one race and I wanted a certain time. I tripped and got spiked. I still have scars from it, big ugly ones. You have to run strategically in order to not get boxed in and tripped. Off the track, “failure” is a cliche one, but I like to win. Also, I don’t like flying.
Where is your favorite place to be in Georgetown? The Leavey esplanade. When it is warm outside, I like to lay out up there with a delicious coffee drink from the .U.G.. It has a great view and definitely beats Lauinger if you have reading to do.
Freshman dorm? Harbin, that was my dorm. I like the set up. I got locked out once for a whole day and I was in my towel and I just went to my friend’s room upstairs. I was in a towel all day until I got a hold of my roommate.
Most embarrassing moment? One Saturday night I was trying to get in touch with my boyfriend, Cotton Harold (COL ’08), to see if he had made it to a birthday party that we were meeting him at. I scrolled down the C’s in my phone and hit “Coach” by accident. I called Coach Helmer at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night and when he picked up, I said, (with girls singing and shouting in the background), “Hey Cott, are you at the party yet?” After a long pause, he said, “I think you have the wrong number” and, instead of being a normal person and apologizing for interrupting his Saturday night, I just freaked out and hit end a million times. I was really scared to come to practice Monday, but at the end of practice he came up to me and said “Well it sure was nice hearing from you on Saturday,” and started laughing pretty hard.
Who in your life inspires you the most? “My parents” is what everyone says. . But, well it’s true for me, so my parents. They are really good people, very hardworking. Lance Armstrong too. Any athlete who accomplishes a feat such as winning the Tour de France six times is definitely inspiring to me. And the seniors on my team! I want to shout out to them because they are really good role models.
Most prized possession? My cell phone, gotta stay in touch.
Dream job? To be a team doctor and travel around with a professional team.
What do your currently have under your bed? Well, it’s drawers, so a whole jumbly mess of clothes. Maybe some snacks too, like honey nut cheerios.
What one word people use to describe you? Goofy.
The most common thing you eat at Leo’s? Hamburgers. I love hamburgers. I am a meat eater for sure.
What do you like to do when you are not on the track? Hang out with friends, the typical stuff: see movies, go out to dinner. I try to do some reading when I have free time. I am reading “Freakonomics” now.
What made you choose Georgetown for college? Pretty much the people I met here on my visit, and the whole atmosphere. I liked being in the city. I like to be busy all the time and have options to do a lot of different things. It is a cool place to be. Also, on the track side, we have a solid track tradition and I agree with Coach Helmer’s philosophy. I admire what he has done with a lot of athletes.
Favorite Georgetown Restaurant? Morton’s. Steak. Gotta get steak when you go there.
Favorite TV show? I don’t really watch too much TV. When I do, my roommates and I look for trashy television like E! and “The Bachelor.” It relaxes me. I like “Law & Order: SVU” too.
Favorite Movie? Lifetime favorite movie would have to be “The Little Mermaid” but no recent ones really stand out in my mind as favorites. I like movies with quirky humor like “Best in Show” and I thought “40 Year Old Virgin” was pretty funny.
Any advice for people who wants to join track and field? Someone who is optimistic and has a good attitude about the sacrifices that must be made to compete at the highest level they can. Also, stick with it, it becomes addicting and then your love for it outweighs how much it hurts at times.
What is your biggest pet peeve? When people don’t carry their own weight with a project. Or if someone is always borrowing money and then not paying back. In general, people taking advantage of other people. I get secretly annoyed.
The thing you miss the most about home? Just talking with my Dad in the breakfast room.
If there was a movie made about your life, what actor would you like to see play you? Angelina Jolie. I think I was even on Team Jolie, sorry. I really like her because she always plays strong female characters that are athletic and very cool under pressure.
What one thing do you want to do before you graduate? I’d like to write an article or two for THE HOYA, and I am not just saying that. Also, I’d like to challenge Jennie Funk (MSB ’08) to a contest at Philly Pizza. She claimed that she once ate 14 slices at her hometown pizza place. I think I could take her, with Italian dressing on the side!
Booey’s or Wisey’s? Definitely Booey’s. Manhattan, always get the Manhattan.
