We spoke with bowler Josie Earnest and cross country runner Kyle Rewick for this edition of "He Said/She Said." Click here to read Kyle's responses.
What are your plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving Break?
For the start of Thanksgiving break, we’re going to be in Maryland for a three-day tournament. It’s kind of nice because we don’t have a lot of schoolwork to do, and coach always makes us a thanksgiving dinner on the road. Once we get back that Sunday we all get to head home for a couple of days.
Do you and your family have any Thanksgiving traditions?
Normally we get up that day, and go to dinner at my grandmother’s house. We all bring some sort of dish and eat with each other.
What legacy do you hope to leave at Vanderbilt?
I’d love to leave here, leaving the program with two national championships. Especially this year, I have my sister on the team as well, and I’d like to be one of the first sibling duos to win a national championships.
How do you balance concentrating on your own play within the play of the team?
It’s become easier; it was kind of tough at first. Bowling, outside of college bowling, is a very individual sport, when you go it’s just about you. Coming into a team it was a little bit difficult, but we’ve worked on it. When we’re back in the paddock it’s talking and encouraging each other, but when it’s my turn I’m ready and completely focused on myself.
How has your coach helped you to improve?
We actually have a really close relationship; I was one of the first recruits he brought in for our class. (Coach Williamson) is very open and understanding about what goes on here with schoolwork and sports. Really, he’s the reason I am here, and he is a really important figure in my four years at Vanderbilt.
What hype is surrounding your season?
I think it’s going to be a very memorable season. We returned a lot of really outstanding players, and we brought in a big freshman class. We won our first tournament, and I think we have a really good shot of doing some outstanding things at nationals.
What do you do first when preparing for a game?
Usually, I go and get ready — it takes me about 20 minutes to put all of my stuff on — my shoes and my tape. I generally listen to my ipod, and get focused on the task at hand.
What would you like to tell fans about this season?
We’re a very competitive team, and I think a lot of people who aren’t involved in bowling don’t realize how much goes on at a tournament. We’re there for like eight hours. A lot of people who come out won’t stay for the whole time because it’s very tiring on the fans as well. It is very interesting to see all of the different dynamics that are going on.
