Kimmie Adams, the CAC’s featured student-athlete for this week’s INTRODUCING … piece, is a senior for the Bobcat women’s cross country team. Adams, the team’s No. 2 runner, is coming off a 27^th-place finish at last weekend’s Coach Achtzehn Classic at York (Pa.) College. Adams is also a great student, garnering All-CAC Academic honors last year while majoring in early childhood/elementary education.

What is your background in the sport you play?   I actually started running cross country at Hagerstown Community College so I would have something to do.  I played soccer and lacrosse in high school, but those sports were not offered at HCC.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot is probably the track because that’s where my best friends are on a daily basis.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  I am in FSEA (Frostburg Student Education Association) and V-Day, which is an organization that raises money for women's issues to end violence against women and girls.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.  My most memorable experience was when I was running in a really muddy race a few years ago.  I was going around a turn and sprawled out right in front of my coach and a ton of spectators.  It was really funny, but really embarrassing.  That was my favorite race.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  I feel like the most important societal issue facing college students is the need to fit in.  Everyone goes from their high school status to a new school environment where they know very few people.  Once they find a group, they will do almost anything to fit in (hazing, poor life choices…).  Many of these people drastically change from the person they were in high school just because of their new groups of friends.  Personally, I am glad I run cross country because I do not have to search for the “right” group of friends.  They were handed to me on the first day of practice. 

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?  If I could change anything in the world, I would change obesity.  I actually got this idea from a previous coach. Everyone would have to run either cross country, play other sports, or run a marathon.  The people who are already fighting this epidemic would just have to take baby steps in order to get healthy.  The main purpose of this would be to get people up and active.  One marathon every five years would not be too difficult.  The first two weeks are always the hardest - which is why so many New Year’s resolutions do not work out.  People get frustrated because they do not see results or they think it is too difficult, so there would be support groups for people who are just starting to exercise. 

This would work in a perfect world, but there will always be people who complain.  I say if people still have health problems after they have been running, the government can offer assistance.  Once obesity is taken care of, the country will have fewer problems in general.  There will be fewer health problems, illnesses, injuries, lawsuits, and murders.  Exercise releases endorphins, and endorphins make you happy.  Happy people don’t kill.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  I am majoring in Early Childhood Education/ Elementary Education.  The most important thing I have learned is that I am a role model for every child, even if I do not know it at the time.  I learned this in class with a group of 3 and 4 year olds.  They pick up on everything that any adult says or does, and they believe that everything an adult authority figure does is the right thing.  For example, if they hear their parents or older siblings say a bad word, they are most likely going to repeat that word.  I have to remember this when I am teaching because I may be the only positive role model in their lives.  I will have to model a positive attitude about everything I want them to do in the classroom. 

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   The most influential person in my life is my coaches from HCC (Brian Ferrari and Jaime Dick).  They pushed me harder than anyone else has, and they believed in me when I did not believe in myself.  When I got faster, they told me that he had nothing to do with it and that it was all my doing.  They held me accountable for my races and made me feel like I really had what it took to be a great runner. 

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  My advice would be to just enjoy elementary school.  Make friends.  Play outside.  Imagine.  Run as fast as you can.  Be nice, even to people you don’t like. 

What is your favorite form of entertainment?   I love people-watching.  I like seeing how people react to things that others say to them. 

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  I like the Steelers.  I’m not a hardcore fan.  Back in 2008 at the beginning of the season, I was watching a game with my dad and saw them score a touchdown.  I told him “The Steelers are going to win the Super Bowl this year!”, and they did! From that moment on I liked them.  I predicted their Super Bowl victory.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    I would love to have dinner with Neil Patrick Harris, Eminem, and Steve Spence.  I want to have dinner with Neil Patrick Harris because he is nice to look at, Eminem because I love rapping (or attempting to rap) to his songs, and Steve Spence because he is an Olympian from around here!  I would just like to hear what they have to say to each other because their lives are all so different.