Name: Tommy Manning

Sport: Track and field

Position: Middle distance and cross country

Hometown: Lake Oswego, Ore.

High School: Jesuit High School

School/Year: GRD ’06

Major: Liberal Studies Program

HS Highlights: 2000: Oregon state team champions in cross country, Most Inspirational Track Athlete; 2001: State runner-up in 3000m, state champion 1500m; Most Valuable Track Athlete

GU Highlights: 2004: Big East champion 4x800relay, NCAA regional qualifier at 1500 meters and 800 meters, Big East champion 4×800 relay , Georgetown fifth fastest all-time at 1000 meters and 800 meters (indoor), 12th all-time at 1500 meters; 2005; Big East champion 4×800 relay, NCAA all-academic team, Big East all-academic team

When did you first start running track? In fourth grade. I went out for CYO [Catholic Youth Organization] and my dad was a track coach. So, he encouraged me to stick with it because I was doing well. I got really good in high school and was recruited to come here. My dad pretty much inspired me to keep with it.

What was the best moment in your career so far? Probably my senior year in high school. We won the state championship in cross country and we had never done that before. It was a close race, and we didn’t know until they announced it. It was the first win in our school history.

What is your best event? I’d say the 1500, but I’ve kind of grown to enjoy the 7800 this indoor season a lot more. I tapped into some speed I didn’t know I had.

Who’s your biggest rival? Off the team, I really dislike Notre Dame because they’ve gotten really good in the last couple of years. We’ve had a traditional rivalry with Villanova, but they have kind of fallen off the map. On the team, I’d day Chris Lukezic. I wouldn’t say a rivalry, but he is someone you’d want to chase after.

What do you do to get psyched for meet? A “Hail Mary” before the starting line, about a minute before I get to the starting line. I have done this since high school

Who on the team do you rely on the most? Probably my fellow fifth-year teammates: Charlie Millioen, Rod Korbrosi and Chris Esselborn. We’ve been together, living together, teammates for five years now. We have been through everything.

If you could be great at any other sport or event besides track, what would it be? I’d have to go with basketball because they have been studly this year. They get me pumped up for meets. When they win, it helps me get inspired too. We definitely feed off each other. I actually feed off them, they don’t feed off me.

What was the last song you heard on your iPod? Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone”

Most prized possession? I have seen people botched that question before, I don’t want to be that guy.

Dream job? Ambassador to New Zealand because I always wanted to visit there and it looks like a great place to live. You won’t have to worry about anything.

Most embarrassing moment? Freshman year, my roommate Charlie convinced me that Coach Henner was upset with me because I was trying to get with another freshman girl on the team, Jodee Adams-Moore. Jodie was dating Chris, who was a big recruit, and Charlie convinced me that he was upset I was going to ruin it by getting between them. Charlie had me all worried, and all scared. So, the next day, I went into coach’s office and I was like, “Coach, I don’t know what you thought, but I want nothing to do with Jodee, or ruin this big recruit.” Then he looked me in the eyes and said, “Tommy, I have no idea what you are talking about.” At that moment I wanted to kill Charlie.

What magazine would someone find on your coffee table? National Geographic.

What one word people use to describe you? Friendly.

What is your biggest pet peeve? I have been really good at restraining it, but loud eaters. It is something you should keep to yourself. Charlie, for the last four odd years has been such a loud eater, it is driving me insane.

What do you like to do when you are not on the track? I like to travel. I went to Europe this summer and backpacked for five weeks. It was an incredible experience through 10 different countries. Did some great runs and met some great people. It inspired me to go back.

Favorite Georgetown professor? Dr. [Daniel] Porterfield is probably one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. He motivates you to take what you learn in the classroom and make it real in your real life. He is really outgoing, and he goes out of his way to interact with students outside of the classroom.

Favorite place to be in Georgetown? McDonough. It is a real close community. I know a lot of people here. Great for Gatorade, too.

Favorite TV show? “Lost.” Because it’s just like every episode ends, and it is so suspenseful. You need to watch the next one. It is killing me right now, because I have only gotten a little over the first half of the first season, and that is all I ever think about.

Favorite Movie? Good Will Hunting. The guys that made it weren’t big Hollywood hot shots, it was timeless.

Freshman dorm? Harbin, fifth floor. One time, me and Charlie pretended to be masked bandits, and we went down to the second floor went into the lounge, and we said, well Charlie was the leader, “I am the masked bandit I have come to steal all your food.” It turned out someone was actually stealing food out of their refrigerator. So, this guy named Vince gets up in our faces and says, “They’re the ones have been stealing our food!” We were so scared, we ran out of there. We couldn’t show our face for the rest of the year. We also found the communications closet, which was conveniently unlocked and we hooked up the entire floor with cable.

The most common thing you eat at Leo’s? Chocolate chip cookies.

Any advice for people who want to join track and field? Just a fun person who is willing to work hard. Contribute not only on the track, but in other areas as well. A good-leader.

What is the one thing you miss the most about home? Probably there are a lot more trails to run around at home. There are a few here, but back home, there are just tons.

What is the one thing you will miss the most about Georgetown? Definitely the team . and the coaches, and seeing them on a daily basis. Having that aspect of my life is something I will really miss.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I don’t know. Back home in Oregon, hopefully coaching on some level.

Booey’s or Wisey’s? Booey’s, because I basically had a meal plan there junior year.

– Interview and photo by Pasha C. Chandra