Running around With Kara June

By Rachel L. Azevedo
Athletic Media Relations

Senior Kara June is Fresno State’s top cross country runner. She received WAC Athlete of the Week honors for her first place performance at the Sept. 6 Stanislaus Invitational.

Q. What are some of the problems college student-athletes face today that are different from high school athletes?

A. All college students have the option of going to class or staying home. College student-athletes have it even harder to make that choice because practice can be so draining that it’s easy to be tempted to skip class. Also, as a college-athlete, travel is much more time consuming. Although trips to Hawai’i are fun and exciting, it is often hard to make up missed work. I have learned many ways to balance and budget my time. I have two jobs, a boyfriend, a social life, a full load of classes (17 units), a cumulative 3.3 GPA and I play sports (cross country and track).

Q. What keeps you going through workouts, classes and road trips?

A. The thing that keeps me going is my need for success. I don’t like to do things unless I can give them my all. I admit I could have a higher GPA if I did nothing else, but I believe that all of my other experiences are just as or even more valuable.

Q. How do you think outsiders perceive life as a student-athlete and do you think their perceptions are correct or incorrect?

A. I’m sure that some outsiders think that it’s a piece of cake to be a student-athlete. These people probably have never played a sport. Student-athletes have all the same work and exams as regular students, plus more to do. Some outsiders are in awe that we are able to stay awake in class. The perception that the latter people have is correct. We do have so much to do during the day that I am in awe.

Q. Is there a secret to success?

A. There are many: time management, positive attitude, drive, dreams, passion, integrity.