Who knew that a bribe from dad, bags of Cheetos and naps on the locker room bench could lead to a CAC Athlete of the Year award and NCAA Division III all-region recognition.  That, plus a little hard work and dedication to her craft, separates York College senior distance standout Caroline DeLany from the rest of the pack.  INTRODUCING … Caroline DeLany.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?   I have been running cross country and track since my freshman year at Tuscarora High School (2007) in Frederick, Md.  I joke that the only reason I stuck with the sport was because my dad made a deal with me that if I stayed on the cross country team he would buy me a pair of spikes. Those spikes were totally worth it.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   My major is Behavioral Science with a concentration in Human Services, and minors in Applied Youth Development and Business Administration. Through my school work I have learned how to work with all different types of people in various aspects of their lives.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus is the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center. It is where I practice and make regular visits to the athletic trainers, but the majority of my time is spent eating Cheetos and taking naps on the benches in the locker room.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?   My favorite place to visit is Lake Ontario in New York. It is a beautiful place where you can go just to get away and relax. I love going there and fishing on the Salmon River and swimming and boating in the lake. My greatest memories as a child are the summers that my family spent there.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   It’s hard to pick the most memorable experience during my time as a Spartan. One experience would be earning All-Region with my teammate Jess Miller, it was a great way to end my senior cross country campaign. My entire career has been memorable, with the friends I have made and the experiences I have had, it is hard to pick just one.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   The most influential people in my life are my coaches and my teammates. My coaches push me to do better every week and show me that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought I would be. My teammates are my family away from home, they are the people that I trust the most. I know that my coaches and my teammates want nothing but the best for me and are always there for support.  

What is your favorite form of entertainment?   Netflix is my favorite because they added the shows Friends and Gilmore Girls.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Enjoy whatever it is that you choose to do with your life. Through school and athletics I have found that the more fun you have doing something, the better you tend to do. Through athletics I have surrounded myself with people who have a love of running similar to mine and we have connected and thrived through our love of the sport. In school I have found similarly that the people who love what they have chosen to pursue as a career, even though it may not be easy enjoy the process and enjoy the prospect of getting to continue down that path.

Outside of the CAC, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  Notre Dame is my favorite because my father would be very upset if I chose anyone else. Go Irish!   

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?   

Coach (Rich) Achtzehn – The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

Andrew McMahon because he is my favorite musician.

Lisa Kudrow, she played Phoebe on Friends and I absolutely loved her character.