Spotlight: Thomas Rushin, Men's Cross Country
Thomas Rushin has been one of the leading runners for the Bears Cross Country team since joining three years ago. A two-time All-HVIAC selection, the Sunshine State native finished 13th at the HVIAC Championships leading the team to a 4th place finish. In addition to his accomplishments as a runner, Rushin is two-time USCAA National All-Academic Team honoree and is an active member of Chapel Players.
About you
Name: Thomas Rushin
Year: Senior
Hometown: Ococee, Fla.
Sport: Men's Cross Country
I came to St. Joseph's because…
I heard that the man who killed my father was enrolled here… JK, I got a scholarship and fell in love after doing a tour of the school and neighborhood
Your major…
English
Career goals after graduation…
Either teaching after braving grad school (medieval texts ftw!) or going back into publishing as a copy editor
My dream job is…
Voice acting by day and bartending by night.
Summer plans…
I'm plotting out a choose your own adventure story (skip to question #13 if this bores you, skip to question #22 if this interests you, or keep going chronologically if you don't care)
A unique/interesting talent of mine…
Ask around about my brownies :)
If you could play another sport other than your own, what would it be…?
Can I be a cheerleader? No? Volleyball then.
Being a Bear...
Story behind your jersey number…
I don't actually have a number, but I like to pretend that it's a constantly rotating version of every Fibonacci number in the universe.
Most memorable moment in a Bears/Lady Bears uniform…
My first year running cross country the final meet happened right around my birthday and we went to a diner to celebrate how well everyone did. But then as I started nodding off in our booth I got surprised with cake. Cake! But then again, I might've dreamed that…
Funniest moment in practice/pre-game with Coach…
Getting bee stung in the eye pretty much takes the cake. I swear even now bees and wasps keep trying to get revenge for their fallen comrade
Pre-game rituals or superstitions…
Casually mismatching my socks. Like, I wear two blue socks that are different shades or go all out and wear one with tiger stripes and another with Wonder Woman stars
My pump up song before a game is…
DON'T STOP ME NOW by Queen. It is an amazing song that makes me believe I can climb Mount Everest, beat the Elite Four, and lift forty-seven times my weight all before breakfast. Or Anaconda.
Favorite road trip so far…
The one ♪to Viridian City!♫
My goal(s) for this season is/are to…
We're joining what conference now?
Favorite feature of The Hill Center…
The stairs
When I found out The Hill Center was finally open, I…
Wondered if my comings and goings prior to the big day were technically illegal
Reaction when you heard Starbucks and Chipotle was opening on Myrtle Ave…
Holy crap those are opening here?!?!?
Speed Round…
iPhone or Android… Android
LeBron, Kobe or Jordan… Uh…
Yankees or Mets… Uhh…
Jets or Giants… Uhhh…
Rangers or Islanders… Uhhhh…
Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks… Finally one I can answer! Dunkin!
Beach or Pool… Pool
"Game of Thrones" or "Breaking Bad"… Full disclosure: I've only watched one episode each of these and had no idea what was going on
Alex or Piper (OITNB)… Taystee
Twitter or Facebook… Tumblr
Your favorites…
Favorite sports team(s)…
The NY Badassilisks
Favorite professional athlete (past or present) …
The one who does the thing
Favorite TV show…
Steven Universe
Favorite SJC Professor…
Tie between Dr. Nakley and Dr. Turner
Favorite SJC Staff member…
Everybody in Student Life is pretty cool!
Favorite quote/motto…
"Hello, my name Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die."
Final thoughts…
Anything you'd like to share with all the rest of the Bears family …
I think most things get easier when you plant your tongue firmly in cheek and go from there. Seriously. Give it a try.
Previous Summer Spotlights:
Michael Megafu, Men's Basketball
Lauren GaNun, Women's Volleyball, Swimming & Basketball
Nolan Parr, Men's Tennis, Soccer & Basketball
Shannon Fahy, Women's Soccer & Tennis
Nicholas LoPrinzi, Baseball
Jillian O'Hara, Women's Swimming
Norrin Martinez, Men's Volleyball
Cassandra Nasta, Women's Volleyball
Brittany Cervino, Women's Basketball
Oscar Melendez, Head Athletic Trainer
Check back every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer for our next spotlight. (If any student-athletes would like to participate on a future spotlight, please e-mail amacapugay@sjcbears.com.)