Name: Alex Walter

Sport: Cross Country

Grade: 11th Grade

Why is she athlete of the week: Walter is the current co-captain of the Girl’s Cross Country Team, leading alongside Hannah Vanderwall. This year Walter has won four different races including the League meet. 

What are her thoughts on winning: Walter was happy to win this race because she beat her rival from Rutherford, Christie Na. She said, “I ran a really smart race there and it was just a good race.”

Coach’s Comment: “Alex is one of the hardest workers I know and one of the hardest runners I’ve had in years and I’ve been doing this for 17 years. She’s determined to do well,” Coach Stacie Gallo said about Walter.

What’s the weirdest instruction a coach has ever given you: “Don’t try. We ran this one race in Holmdel that was purely to learn the course and I, no matter what, will try. So I was told multiple times not to try because I had a really important race coming up and this was just to learn the course.”

Do you have a pre-game routine: “An hour before I race I drink a shot of beet juice.”

What’s one song you listen to before a race: “Somewhat Damaged by Nine Inch Nails. It’s really heavy metal but it gets you hyped up.”

Besides yourself, who’s your favorite runner: “I love everyone but I like it that Jean’s there. She is my sister.”

What athlete do you look up to: “Erin Henry. She was a former athlete here and holds a lot of the records.”