Player of the Pack: Eldon Warner

Eldon Warner is a junior cross country runner majoring in vocal performance.

Karina Dufoe: How was the season opener, the Augustana Twilight Meet last Friday night?

Eldon Warner: It started off strong. We worked together as a pack the first few laps, Luke Bailey, Issac Benz, Nate Wendt and I. We did get separated towards the middle of the race, but Luke Bailey and I were able to push together in the last two laps. We had a good, strong finish as a team.

KD: What brought you to USD?

EW: The main reason was that I wanted to do all of things I enjoyed in high school: drama, running, singing and some schools don’t allow you to do both. The choir director called me and said that USD actually encourages it. They (USD) want you to experience everything that you want to experience.

KD: How do you balance classes, athletics and the opera program?

EW: Very carefully — it gets pretty hectic. If I’m doing something with running I’m involved with choir or the opera. I start classes at 8 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. then I go straight to cross country practice, go to dinner and then do homework at night.

KD: When is the next opera?

EW: They will be “L’isola Disbita (the Deserted Island)” by Haydn. There will be performances On Nov. 18 and 19.

KD: When is the next cross country meet?

EW: Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. in Lincoln, NE.