Dec. 10, 2008
Fairfax, Va. Julie Tripson, the Pittsburgh, Pa. native, enters her senior year at Mason ready to be a top thrower in the CAA. A focus on off-season work and preparation has Tripson and her teammates prepared to compete at the top level. Tripson sat down with GoMason.com to answer a few questions before the indoor season begins.
GoMason.com: How do you prepare before a competition?
Tripson: I get a good night's sleep, a good breakfast, and a good warm-up. When that doesn't work, I try to forget everything and let my muscle memory do the work.
GoMason.com: What has been your most memorable track experience so far?
Tripson: My most memorable track experience is the conference meet last year. I threw well and brought all of my training together. I was in one of the first flights and when I was done I packed up to watch everyone else throw. It was a nice surprise when I was called to compete in finals. That feeling of simply having the ability to throw in finals at CAAs is almost indescribable - it's that "all my work has paid off feeling" - satisfaction is the closest I can come.
GoMason.com: How does the team look this season from your perspective?
Tripson: From my perspective in the thrower's circle I see a strong and excited team all around. My fellow throwers are lifting more and throwing farther each day. I am always seeing hard work on the track and runways and an abundance of support from everyone and for everyone. I think the men's and women's teams have come together well and our competition will reflect that.
GoMason.com: What made you choose to come to Mason?
Tripson: Since I was not on the track team until my junior year, track was not part of my decision in coming to Mason. What brought me here was the location, the actuarial science program and the overwhelming opportunities I saw here versus those at other universities.
GoMason.com: How have Coach Gerard and his staff helped you improve as an athlete?
Tripson: Coach Gerard has helped me by making the transition between head coaches a smooth one. He gives his athletes great respect. That makes it easy to be an athlete on his team and have respect for him as a coach. He provides support and has an interest in all of his athletes. In addition to that, Coach Hartley has stayed on as the throws coach, which also helped with that transition. She is an integral part of shaping me as the thrower I am now and will be in the upcoming season.
GoMason.com: How are you able to find a balance between the demands of being an athlete with the demands of also performing well in the classroom?
Tripson: Finding the balance between the demands of an athlete with the demands of the classroom is difficult. It was easy to lose sight of what is important when I became a student-athlete. I am a strong believer that college is not only about academics, and now as an athlete - it is also not only about athletics. The balance includes finding the time to do the other things I enjoy and then also finding the time to sleep. That said, I found the balance by making mistakes and learning that scheduling is very important. I also had to accept that I can't do it all and giving up something this week means that I will be able to fit it in next week. Prioritization is always key and realizing that I have been given such a great opportunity to be both a student and an athlete helps to keep me focused.
GoMason.com: What do you like to do in your free time?
Tripson: I try to do nothing! But, in the free time that I have the energy to do something, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, watching movies, going dancing, and have been indulging my new-found love of cooking.
GoMason.com: What is on your Ipod?
Tripson: Ryan Adams, Oasis, Greg Laswell, Coldplay, Duffy, Katy Perry, Kate Voegele, The Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, Amy Winehouse, Avril Lavigne, Aimee Mann, The Cranberries, Five for Fighting, Bessie Smith, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Madonna, Eminem, The Clarks, Gin Blossoms - just to name some of my favorites. There is much more that includes lots of 80's, one-hit wonders and well-mixed soundtracks.
GoMason.com: Do you have any pre-competition superstitions?
Tripson: No. If I had a superstition and it fell through for a meet I would be a basket case. I try to rely on the training I have done and not let my mind take over what my body knows how to do.
GoMason.com: Your major is math, why are you interested in that field?
Tripson: In my math major I am concentrating in actuarial science which is the study of risk analysis in insurance and financial markets. I am interested in the applications of math in the financial sector relating to interest theory and derivatives markets. I like these because I enjoy learning about the economy and the various types of markets in which these applications heavily apply.
