Hannah DeBalsi of Staples, Conn. is one of the fastest runners in the nation (she owns the National Sophomore Class Record of 9:55 for Two Miles) but isn't exactly the most verbose.
The senior announced her commitment to Stanford University on Wednesday morning and a special guest in her mother, Sara Basset, helped MileSplit break the news. Watch the full interview, featured above, but here's a few choice soundbites:
I heard you made an important phone call last night, well, I was in the hallway... and do you want to tell us a little bit about what happened?
I commited to Stanford. Yes.
Do you want to tell us anything about what happened in the phone call?
No.
Oh, private. Okay. I know the night before, you were considering making a phone call but you had an AP Gov test to study for. Is that true?
Uhh... yes.
How did you do on the test?
Uh, we didn't get it back yet.
Can you tell us a little about what you were looking for in a school? How did you pick Stanford?
I wanted a good academic school and I also wanted a school with a good track and cross country program and Stanford is the best of both worlds.
I heard from your mother [laughs] that when you called her from the airport all excited, the first thing you said was, 'I found my home.' So I'm curious if you could clarify this comment, does that mean beds weren't made, or you were fighting with your brother about who has the car... how did Stanford feel like home?
I just liked it.
What did you like?
Everything.
You also said that the team could become your family so what was the dynamic on the team that you liked so much?
They were nice people.
I like nice people, you like nice people, too?
[Nods].
In breaking news, I just wanted to let you know that your family is really proud of you and so happy for you that you've earned this and we can't wait to see what lies ahead with a wonderful program with a great coach, great team, great academics and we love you, congratulations, honey!
Thanks.
