Highland Heights, Ky: It's common when you're growing up to try new things and figure out what your passion is. Sophomore runner Savannah Brady tried multiple sports to find out track and field would be her passion. The Fort Thomas native speaks more about her interests and passion for NKU athletics in this Q&A.
 
Q: What originally got you interested with Track?
 
A: I tried out for the volleyball team but I wasn't really good at it, and that's when I decided to start swimming and running. I realized I wasn't very coordinated with sports that involved a ball. I started running track in 6^th grade and then ran cross country junior year as well, that's when I got really serious with the sport. I've just always loved sports and so I wanted to branch out and try it all. I also played soccer and basketball, and even did cheerleading for a year.
 
Q: With you also being a swimmer, tell me about that and how it compares to running.
 
I feel like they're both individual sports, but I think the culture of swimming is so much more intense, and that's kind of why I got a little burnt out from it.
 
Q: Describe your recruiting process at NKU and why you chose to go here.
 
A: My high school coach actually ran for NKU so he and Kruze already were in contact. I never really thought I had the chance to run in college, but Kruze reached out to my high school coach and when I went on my visit the end of my senior year, I just loved the campus and the team culture. It also helped that the university has a really good program for my major.
 
Q: What do your coaches expect from you, not only during competition but as a student athlete?
 
A: Our coaches just always expect us to do our best and they have really high standards for how we do academically. I feel like they're really committed to making sure we're not only good athletes but good people.
 
Q: What's your favorite memory so far at NKU?
 
A: My favorite meet was the indoor track conference in 2019, just being able to hang out and go overnight at a meet was a gamechanger when it came to bonding with my teammates. It's hard to pick a favorite memory outside of Track because I do so many things with my teammates.
 
Q: When you're not competing practicing or studying what are some things you like to do during your free time?
 
A: I obviously love to swim. Actually, my teammates and I have been putting together this movie since the beginning of 2020. It's meant to be funny because it's so bad. I also love to read; my favorite series is Harry Potter. I've read it several times, I love that different world.
 
Q: Your freshman year you took silver in the distance medley at the Horizon League Championship. Talk about your mentality just before getting on the track to how you felt after finishing second.
 
A: Going into it I was really nervous but I also knew my time was comparatively short (in distance) compared to the other girls competing that day. I just knew we had to do relatively well and so I never really expected it to happen my sophomore year. It was just awesome.
 
Q: Your major is in education, what do you plan on doing after graduation?
 
A: I want to be a middle school teacher, it would be cool to coach running as well while still living in Kentucky. My mom's a teacher as well and has been one of my greatest influences growing up, along with my other coaches and teachers. I want to be able to impact others the way they impacted me.
 
Q: What do you like most about NKU? Track and as a community as a whole?
 
A: Probably the people, they've become some of my best friends and they're just always there for you. It's been great to meet so many new people.
 
Q: What are you looking forward to most about next season?
 
A: I've been training with the Cross Country team primarily, but next year I'd like to focus more on Track.
 
Q: Who have been some of your biggest influences?
 
A: One of my biggest influences was Elyse Black, she was the hardest worker I knew. She has helped me become a much better person on and off the track.
 
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