Q&A: Grove doesn’t enjoy hot wings

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week The Volante sports staff will interview a member of the USD athletic community and ask them off-the-wall questions. Enjoy the hilarity.

Emily Grove is a freshman pole-vaulter for the University of South Dakota track and field team out of Pontiac, Ill.

Kelly Stewart: Why did you choose USD?

Emily Grove: I really liked USD because of the track program and it wasn’t too big of a school either.Derik (Miles) is a really good coach and will help me improve as much as I can in the vault.

KS: How did you get into pole-vaulting?

EG: Honestly, in eighth grade I didn’t feel like running our distance workouts so I decided to ask the coaches if I could learn to pole vault.

KS: What’s the strangest talent you have?

EG: I can’t think of any strange talents really, but I can do a back flip. All the kids were doing them at recess, so I thought I’d join in the fun.

KS: What is the last thing you ever got grounded for?

EG: I got pulled over for speeding. I didn’t get a ticket, but my dad was a police officer, so of course he found out.

KS: What was your childhood nickname?

EG: Grover, started in basketball in junior high. My last name is Grove so it kind of just blended, but it has nothing to do with Sesame Street.

KS: Do you have any strange phobias?

EG: Not really. I hate spiders, but that’s pretty common. Otherwise, I’m not afraid of much.

KS: Have you ever been dared to do something you totally regretted?

EG: I ate a Blazin’ wing from Buffalo Wild Wings without water for 5 minutes, it was the worst experience ever. I absolutely hated it, and I’ll never do it again.

KS: What are your goals in life?

EG: Hopefully I go far with pole vault, graduate with a degree in KSS, and find a stable job after graduation. I want to be successful.

KS: If you could pick one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

EG: I would definitely pick fruit pizza. I don’t know exactly why I’d pick that, but I know it’s super good, and I can eat it all the time.

KS: What is your biggest fear?

EG: Failure. I hate letting people and myself down. It’s the worst feeling in the world.

KS: What kind of vehicle do you drive?

EG: My mom actually totaled my car a week before Thanksgiving, but I used to drive a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero. It was just a little gray car, and I called it Alli. I miss it.

KS: What’s the number one item on your bucket list?

EG: I want to be on a box of Wheaties. As a kid, all of my favorite athletes were on the front of it, so I think it’d be cool to do that, too.

KS: If you had to be an animal, what would you be?

EG: Without a doubt I’d be a peregrine falcon. It is the fastest animal in the world! Plus, it can fly, and I’ve always wanted to be able to fly.

KS: What’s your favorite quote?

EG: ‘Real Athletes don’t hope to win a match or game, they prepare for it!’ 
coach Briody. He wasn’t actually my coach, but I saw it on a poster once, and I really liked it.

KS: What is your worst habit?

EG: Procrastination. I always put things off until the last minute, but I still get things done when I need to. I should save myself the stress though.

KS: Who is your favorite musical artist?

EG: My music depends on my mood. I listen to all sorts of types of music, but if I am just hanging out, I listen to The Band Perry. I can’t really pick a genre; I like everything.

KS: What is your biggest pet peeve?

EG: I can’t stand noisy eaters; they drive me absolutely insane. It’s polite to chew with your mouth closed.