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Athlete Awards

Central Close-Up

Holly McKinney

  • Award
    Central Close-Up
  • Week Of
    11/16/2017
  • Sport
    Women's Cross Country
  • Bio
    View Full Bio

Senior
Saint Charles, Iowa


Why did you chose Central?

I was initially interested in Central because of the running program, but the close sense of community drew me in. When I visited, each person I talked to was genuinely excited about being at Central.

Favorite professor and why?

Dr. Fox is one of my favorite professors because she is so energetic and passionate about her classes. We also get to do yoga to start class sometimes, and one weekend we did paddle board yoga at Lake Red Rock and Dr. Fox did a headstand on the board.

Who are your go-to musical artists ?

Generally, my go-to music consists of indie artists like alt-j, Passion Pit, Modest Mouse, Mumford & Sons, The Killers, Foster the People, and the like. I’m also a fan of Maroon 5, since Adam Levine is easy on the ears and also the eyes.   

You’re majoring in exercise science because? 

I’m majoring in Exercise Science because I broke both my wrists playing dizzy bat in high school and the physical therapy fascinated me (not to mention the fashion statement of having two wrist braces at once). Although my plans have changed from wanting to be a physical therapist, majoring in Exercise Science has shown me ways to help people make healthy choices leading to a better life.

Chore you absolutely hate doing

I’m an aquatics director at a camp this summer, so I get to hang out at the lake and supervise the kids. It’s all fun and games until they leave their socks everywhere, which I have to pick up at the end of the day.

Most memorable part of studying abroad last spring.

Every Tuesday I had Outdoor Pursuits class with other students from Central, and we would go on an excursion for credit. One week our activity was mountain biking, which was comparable to riding a bike up and down a flight of stairs. I ended up falling off the bike into a thorn bush, and I don’t think I have touched a bike since then.

What song would you sing for your American Idol audition?

Probably Just Give Me a Reason by P!nk. I performed it as a duet over the bus PA system coming home from a meet freshman year as a consequence for being late to practice.

If you could have the answer to any question, what would that question be?

“What have I got in my pocket?”

What language do you wish you could speak?

I tried to learn Welsh last semester but I mostly felt like I was clearing my throat a lot. My small grasp on the language was not sufficient for me to master saying the longest place name in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, a small villiage in Wales.

What’s the best prank you have ever pulled and who was it on?

In high school, we used to set timers for different times throughout the day and hide them in our science teacher’s ceiling.

Favorite TV Show

Bob’s Burgers or The Office

What’s one thing people might not know about Coach Fyfe?

He may try to say otherwise, but Coach Fyfe is a subpar driver. We got yelled at on our trip to Boston last fall in a parking garage by an displeased Bostonian. It doesn’t stop us from getting in the car when Coach Fyfe offers to drive us to dinner after practice, though.

What’s your favorite part about being a member of Central cross country?

I love that the team is so close, like a family. There’s something about going through a hard and painful sport like running that brings everyone together. I have found lifelong friends through the team and have made memories that I will never forget.  

“Ten years from now I’ll...”

Probably be living in the mountains or woods somewhere living off the land, knitting stuff, and communicating only by falcon.

Favorite food from Central Market

Spinach & artichoke dip quesadillas! I also get really excited about caramel bars and fruit pizza.

Bucket list

Master windsurfing, ride in a hot air balloon, and space travel.



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