Name: Meaghan Stakelin

Sport: Triathlon

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

High School: Ursuline Academy

School/Year: COL ’08

ajor: Government

Georgetown Career: Started off as a swimmer freshman year, switched over to triathlon in the spring of 2005. One of five founding members of the triathlon team. Placed 29th out of about 500 in the national tournament last Saturday.

When did you first decide to be a triathlete? I had been swimming since I was a kid, and I was a varsity swimmer in high school. I thought I was the way to go, and I was recruited to come here, but then I decided to switch freshman year when someone in my dorm decided to put together a team. We started off with five of us and now we have more than 30.

What’s the team like? We have a lot of camaraderie on our team especially because we’re new and we have to stick together. A lot of us are not only new to the team but also new to the sport, so we teach each other what we know. And the triathlon community is smaller as compared to anything else, so we’re very close.

Who on the team do you rely on the most? We had a coach, Andy McDonald, who was here up until this past semester, and he was really the one who got us all into the sport and introduced us to everything. He was the one we’d go to for advice and help. We’re still very close to him.

Any superstitions? I’m superstitious about what I eat before a meet – all I eat is rice. Maybe with some plain chicken, but that’s it.

Best moment in your career so far? The highlight definitely was the Nationals last Saturday because I’m a senior and it was against all collegiate athletes and not 40-year-old veterans who have been doing this forever, so I was among my peers. It was just a really neat experience being out there, and I had a great race coming in 29th overall. I was elated, and it was a great end to my Georgetown career. And my mom was there, which was great.

Biggest rival? This year we really wanted to beat Davidson after what they did to our basketball team but I don’t think they’ve got a triathlon team. Actually, Navy has one of the strongest triathlon teams, and they’re someone we’d like to beat.

If you could be good at any other sport, what would it be? Something like rock climbing or sailing because I like to be up front, and I like be outdoors. I like things that are dangerous.

Your hardest class in Georgetown? Intro to Calculus.

What is the one thing you miss most about home? I miss my mom’s cooking, and this local ice cream place that has the greatest ice cream. My parents will pack it in dry ice and ship it over, it’s that good.

ost embarrassing moment? It was my very first race. When you get off the bike you have to start running immediately, and I got off and fell flat on my face because my legs wouldn’t function that way. And this past race my shoe fell off my bike, so I had to run barefoot into oncoming bikers to get it. And then of course, there’s the see-through spandex, which by the way is really bad for people behind you. There’s a whole list, but those are at the top.

Favorite movie? Across the Universe. I carry the soundtrack with me wherever I go, I love it. And I love the Beatles.

A movie you’re embarrassed to admit you like? I really love trashy reality TV. “The Hills,”Girls Next Door,”A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,”My Big Redneck Wedding,” all the worst things.

Favorite place in Georgetown? Trader Joe’s, because I cook for myself and they have everything. And Saxby’s. It’s across the street from where I live, so it gets pretty bad. Let’s just say I have a regular customer’s card.

Greatest inspiration? My mom. She’s the one who got me really interested in sports in general, and she’s done a couple of triathlons herself. She’s so involved though that you can’t call and have a normal conversation, she’s always asking about everything. It’s funny.

Booey’s or Wisey’s? Wisey’s. I love their California Chicken.

“