In the first edition of the Cougar Corner series, we sat down with Grace Handler, a freshman from Temecula, California. 

The Cal State San Marcos women's cross country team has competed in two races so far this season, placing first and second. This propelled them into the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Coaches Poll Top 25 with a No. 21 ranking.

Q. Why did you choose CSUSM?
I really liked the coach and team here when I visited. I always wanted to come here since I was a little girl. I would drive by everyday when I would go to the beach. 

Q. What was it like when you committed to CSUSM?
It was like the best feeling in the world. My dad was riding me a lot about other schools and other options that were out there. So when I signed that paper and said I was coming here, it was the best feeling ever because he saw that this is what I was going to do. Now he likes it because I'm close to home, and he can come to my home meets! 

Q. Where is your favorite place to study?
Right now I study in my room, and I really like it. I have a single room, so it's really easy for me to study.

Q. How did you get started cross country?
My mom signed me up for it in high school, saying "I want you to have friends when you go to school". So that's why I started running, and I really liked it. 

Q. Favorite pre-competition meal?
It's not what my coach would want to me to say, but a turkey burger from Burger Lounge is THE BEST. I'm supposed to say pasta though!

Q. Who's the funniest person on the team? 
Probably Robert Marin or Phillip Dorado. I don't know if I could ever talk to them with a straight face.
 

Q. What pumps you up before race time? Usually the cheer or running with the team in general and looking at the competition. I also do my pre-race jumps that I do every race. That definitely gets me pumped up! It's like "this is the moment"!  Q. What is your spirit animal and why?  A unicorn because I'm magical, and I like to sparkle. I literally wear a sparkly bow and headband on race day, so you will find me.

Q. What is your favorite show to binge on Netflix?
I really like Heartland and I used to watch Once Upon A Time. 

Q. Do you have any hobbies?
Well, I did a lot of sports in high school. I did cross country, track and field, water polo, flag football and field hockey. I like to sew, bake and read books. 

Q. Favorite book?
The Selection Series. It's kind of a romantic series.
 

Q. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Germany. I got offered to race out there. I started looking it up and seeing pictures, so that's where I would live. Q. Fun fact? I am related to Barbie, like the actual Barbie and Ken are my cousins.  Q. What is your dream job? I want to stay in the athletic training or physical therapy area because I like helping athletes get better and preventing injuries.

Q. Favorite movie?
The Little Mermaid. 

Q. Name someone (living) you would want to switch places with for a day?
There are three princesses in Holland that are the ages of my sisters and I. If we could all switch places together for the day and be princesses, that would be so awesome!

Q. Which animated character does Coach Anthony Heredia remind you of?
Okay, um, he reminds me of Aladdin because he's very adventurous and goes places all the time.

Q. What about Coach Torrey Olson?
*after a quick Google search of animated characters that are funny, focused and caring*
Oh, Woody because Coach Olson is funny. He cares about you but is very focused.

Q. What's the best part about being a Cougar?
Being a part of the teams here on campus because it's like a family, and everybody does everything together. We always hang out. 

Q. What kind of music do you listen to before competing? 
I don't usually listen to music before racing, but if I'm driving my friends to practice or to the home meet, we blast Taylor Swift songs. Shake It Off was blasting the whole way there!

Q. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you during practice or weights?
Oooo, plenty of embarrassing things… I was walking down to practice, and I wasn't paying attention. I ran into a baseball player while he was holding a weight ,and he dropped it. It was sooo bad! 

Grace and the Cougars will head to Sacramento to compete in the Capital Cross Challenge on Saturday.