The Emory Senior Spotlight Series continues with a look with current cross country and track & field student-athlete Susannah Martin.
Name: Susannah Martin
Hometown (HS): Westport, CT (Staples)
Sport: Women’s Cross Country, Track & Field
Major: BBA, focus on Strategy and Management Consulting and a concentration in Health Innovation
**How did you start getting involved with cross country? How old were you when you started running?
I started running in 8th grade for fun, and joined my high school cross country team freshman year. I've always loved endurance sports, but I think my lack of athletic coordination in any other sports led me to distance running by default.
**Do you have any current plans for after graduation?
I will be working for IBM in Atlanta in their rotational sales program.
**What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman self?
Don't take yourself so seriously. Your self-identity doesn't need to be tied to whether or not you hit a specific time in a race or split in a workout. Enjoy this time you have to push yourself every day with your teammates because it goes by way too quickly.
**Which Emory faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
Dr. Molly Epstein in the business school. I took business communication strategy fall of my junior year, Also, I have to say coach Linh Nguyen when it comes to running, even at my worst he has believed in me and is the epitome of the perfect inspirational distance coach.
**What is one class would you retake just for fun and why?
HLTH 323 with Dan Benardot. His class is super applicable for athletes and non-athletes alike and completely changed my outlook on nutrition. He has remarkable experience working with professional athletes and I feel lucky to have learned from him.
**What is the most unique thing about your hometown?
The Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen was partly composed by Justin Paul, an alumni of my high school in Westport.
**What is something that people may not know about you but should?
My handstand walking PR is 40 meters.
**Other than the sport(s) you play, what is another one you think you could play at a high level?
Road cycling. I started this in high school and raced a few times but plan on pursuing it further after college.
**What is one professional athlete (past or present) would you like to have a conversation with and why?
Greg Lemond. He was the first American cyclist to win the Tour de France and has always been my favorite professional athlete.
**How have you been trying to occupy your time with given the current COVID environment?
I've spent a lot of time hiking and walking with my dog. My mom rescued her from Mississippi in February and she has been so much fun to spend time with during quarantine. She looks like a small cow.
**Food you hate that everybody else seems to enjoy?
Flamin' hot Cheetos. I don't understand the hype, they are way too spicy.
**What would you say are your top three movies or television shows of all time?
1. Breaking Bad 2. The Shining 3. Elf
**What is your favorite thing to do around Atlanta?
I like to try new restaurants. It's a good way to get off campus and explore the city with friends.
**What has been your most memorable moment during competition during your Eagles career?
Cross Country Regionals 2019 qualifying for nationals as a team! There was a lot of good competition from other teams in the southeast, but everyone really stepped up for each other.
**Favorite non-athletic moment from your past few years at Emory?
Winning the MCP (Marketing/Consulting Practicum) case competition this past spring. The class is essentially a semester-long group project where you get to work with a client (this semester it was Denny's) to come up with a solution to a real-life consulting case. It was a huge time commitment and took a lot of hard work as a team, but was incredibly rewarding.
**What would be one thing you’d like to impart to the underclassmen before finishing your career?
Take advantage of the time you have with your teammates. While every morning practice, workout, or race may seem grueling at times, these are moments you will never get back.