Getting to Know...Liz O'Connell

X-Women cross country and track and field runner Elizabeth O’Connell is the latest athlete featured in our Getting to Know your X-Women and X-Men series throughout the summer. Liz recently completed her first year with the X-Women and is a Science student from Calgary, AB.

What brought you to StFX?
The fact that it’s in Nova Scotia, I love this province! I also liked the idea that X is such a tight-knit community. I remember going online and finding so much positive feedback about the school.

What has been your best moment in a StFX uniform so far?
I would have to say at the cross country CIS when all the girls got in a huddle and cheered, and said our prayer before our race. It calmed down my nerves because all the girls were in the exact same position as I was. Afterwards, cheering on the guys was great because we were done our race and we could relax!

What are you most looking forward to this season?
I’m excited to meet the new rookies!  It will be great to get the group back together so some of my runs won’t be as lonely, ha ha.

Who has been the most influential person in your life (and why)?
Probably my family because they are my go-to people whenever I need help or advice. They’ve been through it all before so they are a great help and are very supportive.  When it comes to all things running-related however, most definitely I turn to my older sister who is my biggest running inspiration.

One thing I cannot live without is…?
Cheesy I know, but my friends - I love ‘em!

My dream vacation destination is…?
Egypt or Peru

Tell us one thing that fans may not know about you?
I used to Irish Dance for 12 years and quit the summer I came to X. The only serious injury I’ve ever had with a sport is when I got body checked on the dance stage during a competition in Vancouver in grade 9 and broke my wrist, ha ha.

FAVORITES:

Past-time/hobby: Camping and hiking, being outside

Restaurant: Saigon Y2K Vietnamese food in Calgary

Book: I bought a book at a meet this year called ‘A year of Adventures’ and it has the craziest wildest activities you can do all over the world

TV show: LOST and Departures

Movie: RAT RACE! I’ve seen it like 15 times… but other than that, Big Fish, Pursuit of Happiness, Blood Diamond

Actor/Actress: Will Smith

Singer/Band: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (Calgary) 

Sport (other than your own): Frisbee or soccer

Pro sports team: The Lakers

Pro sports athlete: Steve Prefontaine