Leading up to the 2013 Mason track & field season, we will be giving fans an opportunity to get to know a student-athlete on the team.

This week we talked with senior Gustavo Osorio as he prepares for his final season with the Patriots.

Be sure to check back next week as we meet another Mason T&F athlete.

Vitals
Name: Gustavo Andres Osorio
Year in School: Senior
Events: Decathlon
Nicknames: Goose

-What attracted you to Mason?
I really liked that the program had a good history in track and field but what really attracted me was my coach (Kevin McGorty). I hadn't met him back then but my high school coaches knew of him and they said I shouldn't pass up a chance to work with the man because he is a genius. 

-When did you start competing in track?
I started back in eighth grade, I was actually more interested in football and wrestling at the time but I did track to stay in shape during the spring. I ended up loving it and finally decided to focus solely on track after my freshman year of high school.

-What is your favorite thing about T&F?
My favorite thing about track and field is that you are only as good as you want to be. Whatever time you run, whatever height you clear, or whatever distance you throw is a reflection of how much hard work you've decided to put into your  training.  

-What track memory stands out the most for you?
Winning the CAA Championship my freshman year (2010) will always be a memory I'm fond of. We hadn't won the conference in 14 years and I know we as freshmen had a big part in that accomplishment. 

-What is your major, and what are your plans after graduation?
I'm a Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources major with a concentration in Kinesiology. I want to get my Master's Degree in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotions here at Mason and my goal is to sometime in the future open up my own Sport Performance Training Center. I have a passion for sports and I can see myself being happy helping dedicated athletes achieve their dreams. 

-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I have both performance and outcome goals for this year. I want to score at least 6800 points in the decathlon. I want to defend my title as CAA Champ, and I want to place top three in the IC4A Championships. 

-What does your typical off-season training consist of?
After my last meet of outdoor I take an entire month off from lifting and running. During that time I'll usually stay active, play other sports, and cross train with biking and swimming. During that time I try to get better at moving my body weight around so I do lots of pushups, dips, and pull ups. Once I can start lifting and running again I'll take it easy for another month slowly building a good base and lifting moderately. And when August comes around I step up the intensity a bit more to get myself ready for preseason. 

-What is your favorite event to compete in and why?
I don't really have a favorite event, I actually enjoy all of my events no matter how frustrating they may be at times. But If I had to pick a favorite throw it would be the discus, favorite jump would be the pole vault, and favorite running event would be the 400m. 

-What was your biggest accomplishment last season?
I think placing eighth at IC4As outdoor was actually bigger than winning CAAs. The IC4A championships is a meet with people from over 60 D1 schools from the east coast so to come in eighth and earn All-East honors was pretty awesome for me. 

-You were the CAA champion in the decathlon last season, how do you build on that success going into the 2013 season, your final year at Mason?
I want to go out on top! I want to get the CAA Decathlon record, I want to medal at IC4As, and I want to get on Mason's All-Time best list for the decathlon.  

Quick Facts
-What is the last song you played on your iPod?
"The Autograph" by J Cole

-Who is your favorite track athlete?
Bryan Clay because he is short like me and still managed to win the Olympic gold in the Decathlon in 2008. Usually the great decathletes are super tall freaks of nature but Bryan Clay is 5'10" and he beat all of them. 

-What is your favorite food?
Whole wheat pasta mixed with grilled salmon bits topped with marinara sauce.

-Do you have any superstitions/pre-event rituals?
I'm not really superstitious, I just listen to fast paced music on my iPod before I compete to get my adrenaline going. 

-The best advice I ever received was...
I actually got it from Coach McGorty, he said to me "Goose, take it one event at a time and you'll be fine." Whenever I'm in competition I try to take it one event at a time and forget about whatever else just happened, this way I don't put any unnecessary pressure on myself.