CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – After strong showings at the ACC Cross Country Championships, the UVA All-ACC duo of Stella Kermes and Sean Gray will lead the Cavaliers into the NCAA Southeast Regionals on Friday (Nov. 13), hosted by South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C.
Kermes is in her third year on Grounds and is a native of Waxhaw, N.C., while Gray is a first year from Portsmouth, R.I.
Stella Kermes1. After earning All-ACC honors, what is something you (or the team) have been working on heading into regionals?
SK: After ACC's, our women's team has one goal and that is to make it to the national championship. We were very disappointed with our seventh-place finish at ACCs and we know that as a team, we are capable of so much more. Individually, I believe I can definitely be all-region and I will try to place as high as possible for our team.
SG: Individually, I am looking to place in the top 15 and attempt to lead the team to a top six finish, while beating some top teams in the process.
2. What is one area of growth that you have seen in yourself since the start of the season?
SK: I have seen myself really grow in maturity in the way I race. I have learned how I like to race and what strategies work best for me, which has allowed me to race to the best of my ability. I also think I have developed a better mentality in cross country, which has always been a bit of a struggle.
SG: My mental toughness and ability to push through pain. I have found myself improving sleep and recovery as well throughout the season, while focusing on feeling good for workouts and races.
3. What is one thing about the UVA Cross Country team that you would love for the casual Hoo (fan) to know?
SK: Our UVA women's team really cares about each other. This is my closest group of friends here at UVA and I wouldn't have it any other way. We push each other to be the best we can be, but we also have a ton of fun in the process.
SG: We are a really funny group, we love hanging out and are always happy to meet people.
4. How did you get into Cross Country?
SK: I got into cross country because of my dad. I did competitive gymnastics for my whole life up until middle school and my dad has always been a big runner, competing in road races and trail races.
SG: I got into cross country and distance running through my parents’ business. They own a road race events company and put on local road races. I realized how good I was at running through that and ended up doing track throughout middle school and in my sophomore year decided to make the switch to XC from soccer.
5. Why did you choose UVA?
SK: I chose UVA for so many reasons. What really drew me to the program was the girls on the team and their bond to one another. I also loved the coaching staff, Coach Joelle and their goals for UVA and what they want to accomplish. I wanted a school that had strong academics as well as athletics too. And of course, UVA is such a beautiful campus; I couldn't turn it down.
SG: UVA was the best balance between academics, athletics and social life. The team is very close and I could feel it when I was visiting. The coaching and training are also top-notch and I could see myself performing the best here out of anywhere else and the academics are on par with the best schools in the nation.
Sean Gray6. What are you studying at UVA and what inspired you to study that?
SK: I am studying biology on the pre-med track. I always knew I wanted to do something in medicine. Science courses were always the most interesting to me. I also really want to be able to help people. My grandpa was a neurosurgeon, so that was pretty inspiring too.
SG: As a first year I am currently undecided, but I am looking at possible fields in the sciences.
7. What has been your favorite moment in your UVA career?
SK: My favorite moment of my UVA career was either making my first ACC final as a freshman during outdoor track or being the first one out for nationals my sophomore outdoor track season after being out for injury for the entire indoor season.
SG: So far the highlight of my career has been winning a high school regional XC title and becoming an All-ACC athlete as a first year.
8. If you could only take somebody to three places on Grounds or in Charlottesville, where would you take them and why?
SK: If I were to take someone to three places, I would take them to the Rotunda on the Lawn, the Corner and the downtown mall, specifically Petite Mariebette. I love coffee and Charlottesville has the best coffee shops hands down. Mariebette is one of my favorites.
SG: My favorite places in C-ville have to be the Lawn, the Corner and downtown but I still have more to explore over the rest of my time here.
9. What is on your pre-race/hype playlist?
SK: Pre-race, I like listening to upbeat, remix type of songs. I have been loving Calvin Harris, Justin Bieber, and Tate McRae.
SG: I have a good amount of Drake, Travis Scott and J. Cole. The song that has been pumping me up before races, most recently, has to be Don't You Know by JAY-Z.
10. If you could have one superpower, which one would you choose?
SK: If I had one superpower, it would definitely be teleportation.
SG: I would definitely choose the ability to change the probability of anything I want.