On Tap with ... Alexis Mikaelian

Q: What was your “welcome to college” moment?

A: The first weekend of preseason my freshman year, we went to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. They had all these steps set up to prevent landslides, and I ate it twice tripping over the steps. Upon returning to campus, the deceptively strong [senior] Sarah Cummings threw me into a locker and said, “Welcome to college, bitch.”

Q: What is the greatest highlight of your sports career?

A: So far, I’d have to say indoor track and field Heptagonals this past winter. Everything clicked that day and if there’s ever a question, moments like that validate why we run.

Q: What’s the funniest story you have about your coach?

A: I’ll tell you two things about our coach: One thing I’ll say about [head coach Peter Farrell] is that he’s one funny guy. Another is that I know he’s an avid reader of the ‘Prince.’ So I’ll stop there.

Q: Who is your quirkiest teammate and why?

A: I would say [freshman] Clare Gallagher. She’s from Colorado, which means she’s enthusiastic about bioplastics and other hippie things. She also enjoys narrating our runs in the voice of “The Crocodile Hunter” by noting all the different wildlife we encounter on the 60-minute route. And she gives a damn good motivational speech when the opportunity presents itself. #earnyourstripes

Q: What’s the best part about being a runner on campus?

A: The clothing requirement is minimal and is thus easily met with a sports bra and spandex shorts. The sun exposure is maximal.

Q: What’s the worst part about being a runner on campus?

A: Sometimes it’s hard to recognize my teammates with their clothes on.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Q: Who has the most game off the track?

A: Our team is married to the game. But I will say it’s worth noting there’s been some impressive mingling between the freshmen girls and freshmen boys on the men’s and women’s teams. The closeness of their class is unparalleled.

Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?

A: The power to develop [senior] Ashley Higginson’s abs upon taking off my shirt.

Q: Name one goal on your Princeton bucket list.

A: Jump off the Cottage [Club] balustrade (with a parachute).

Q: Do you have any odd pre-race rituals?

A: Prior to leaving for races, my travel roommate [junior] Alex Banfich and I go through a checklist for what I need to bring for a meet. It basically goes as follows: Singlet? Check. Buns? Check. Spikes? Check. Swag? Chizzeck.

Q: What is your most embarrassing moment at Princeton?

A: During preseason, we have an intra-team scavenger hunt with the men’s and women’s teams, and things get pretty messy. One of our tasks was to get a picture with a lizard, and only the men’s hockey team has possession of such an animal. They were broing out at Ivy Garden, so Ashley Higginson and I showed up to the restaurant minimally clothed and covered in chocolate sauce to ask for the picture. That’s how I met the hockey team for the first time.

Q: What is your favorite eating club theme night?

A: My interpretation of most theme nights turns into rave.

Q: What’s your approach to reading period and finals?

A: We have our Ivy League Championships this coming weekend for the outdoor season, so I think that makes getting our work done the rest of this week even more important. If we could win the triple crown this week, that would be the new highlight of my athletic career.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not practicing?

A: #hugtime.

Q: What is your favorite music to dance to?

A: My team’s going to expect me to say Lady Gaga, so I’ll stick with that.

Q: What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

A: I have a couple theme songs like the “Jurassic Park” theme song and the “Power Rangers” theme song, which is embarrassing for anyone who isn’t 6 years old and a boy. The “Jurassic Park” theme song actually has some beautiful crescendos, so it’s not that embarrassing.