Oklahoma State University Athletics
Meet The Freshmen: Chandler Austin
October 02, 2014 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Each week, we will sit down with a Cowboy/Cowgirl newcomer and find out everything from their favorite part about Stillwater, to their favorite TV show. This week, we talked with Chandler Austin, a freshman from Boone, Iowa, who joined the Cowboys this fall after racking up four state championships in high school.
What was the number one reason why you came to Oklahoma State?
"I came to OSU because they've really expanded the success of their cross country team and reached a national level over the past few years. On my visit, Coach Smith told me that I need to be here if I want to be a great runner. I wanted to be great, so I signed to come here."
Since you've been here, what has been your favorite part about OSU?
"I would say the team, as a whole. The coaches are great, my teammates are great and we have a lot of fun. Like I said earlier, Coach Smith said that if you want to be good, you've got to come here, so I can definitely see why everyone is so serious. There's no messing around going on. You're here to run, you're here to get the job done and you're here to win a national title. Everyone's focused, keeping their eyes on straight and not getting distracted."
What do you miss most about home?
"People say that [you have to miss something from home], but I haven't really thought about home since I've been here. People take you in, and you feel like this is your family now. Yeah, I miss my parents, my dog and my brother, but this is your new family here."
Do you have any superstitions you use before a meet?
"I used to have a teammate who was pretty good, and he'll hopefully be joining me here in a couple of years, but we have a handshake we like to do before we run. That was always something fun, and like Jenny, I always get down and pray, thank God for the opportunity and tell him that I'll still be happy, no matter what happens during the race."
Who is your cross country/track idol?
"My brother, definitely. He has kind of put me under his wing and taken care of me. If I ever need advice or anything, he's always there to help me out. He's had some injury troubles, so he's also able to teach me what to do and what not to do. I kind of want to be able to run well for him and show him that his help has brought me this far."
What's your favorite thing about being a runner?
"It makes you stand out from the rest. You ask people if they like running, and they're like, `No, I hate it,' so you kind of have that edge. There are days when I love running and days when I hate it, but you still go out there every day. Also, if you're ever having a bad day, you can just go outside and go for a run. You don't have to think about anything. You can just clear your mind. It's a problem-solver."
Do you have a favorite TV show?
"I'm gonna go with Big Bang Theory. It's kind of a weird show, but I got in a routine of watching it after working out. I didn't have cable at home, so I didn't have too many options."
Who is your favorite musical artist?
"I'm a hip-hop kind of guy, but I also listen to some dubstep. I'll tell you this; the power hour round five is what I really like to listen to before I race. It's like an hour-long mix of dubstep and hip-hop."
If you could visit one place in the world, where would you go?
"New Zealand. It's got mountains and beaches in the same place, and those are two things I really like."
If your house/apartment was on fire and you only had time to save one possession, what would it be?
"My family."
If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be?
"I don't want to say my dad, because then my mom will be upset (laughs). So, I guess my brother, my high school coach and I suppose I'll say my dad."
Give me one word to describe you.
"Determined."
