Vanderbilt Hustler: How honored were you to win the team's most improved award?
Amanda Grosse: I was definitely pleasantly surprised to get the Most Improved Athlete award. It was a great cap to my best season in four years, and I'm grateful to my coaches for the recognition.

VH: What allowed you to have success this fall?
AG: I think my success was due in large part to consistent training as well as a lot of running over the summer. Also, as a senior, I realized it was my last chance to run a great season, and I wanted to give every race my all.

VH: What was it like to earn your first varsity letter?
AG: There's nothing better than earning varsity your senior year. Even better, the last race of my last season. Talk about the nick of time.

VH: What has been your favorite moment of the past four years?
AG: There have been so many good moments being on the team, but one of my favorites was sophomore year cross country when six of my friends came to watch a home meet and wore shirts that spelled out "AMANDA." Zane, Kelly, Graham, Ahmed, Eddie, and Lindsay, thanks guys! It was a great feeling.

VH: What will you miss most about the team and about Vandy?
AG: I will miss my teammates more than anything when I graduate. These girls were my first friends at Vandy, and it's going to be very hard to say goodbye.

VH: Who's the funniest player on the team and why?
AG: I think Sarah Feagles is not only the funniest person on the team, but one of the biggest comedians at Vanderbilt. I've never met a quicker wit. She's definitely a good time.

VH: Do you have any pre-race superstitions or any meals you always eat?
AG: I always start chewing half a piece of gum before each race. That tradition goes back to my junior year in high school.

VH: What's the most miles you've ever run in a row?
AG: I've run a few half-marathons, so I'd have to say 13.1 miles. But I plan on running the Nashville marathon this spring after track season, which means I'll have to start getting my mileage way up in a few months.

VH: Favorite meal at McGugin?
AG: I love the salmon at McGugin. Magic is second to none as a chef so pretty much anything you eat there is going to be delicious.

VH: Favorite sport to watch?
AG: My brother played football in college, and I used to watch his games, so I guess football. I'd rather be playing sports than watching them though.

VH: Talk about Coach Keith and the impact he's had on the program
AG: Coach Keith has had a huge positive impact on our program. In his second year here he recruited our largest freshman class in history, with 10 new girls donning the black and gold this fall. Personally, I think that the coaching staff this season is the best I've ever had, and I look forward to seeing the program continue to grow in the next few years. It's an exciting time to be on cross-country at Vanderbilt with Coach Keith at the helm.

VH: What are your goals for the spring?
AG: I want to keep improving and hopefully tear it up on the track this spring. I'll be running the 5k outdoor in track, which will be a first for me, but it should be fun and I'm looking forward to enjoying my very last track season at Vandy.

VH: Who are you favorite sports teams?
AG: The Vanderbilt Commodores! And of course the Phoenix Suns in basketball since I'm from Arizona.

VH: Favorite movie?
AG: My favorite movie ... I really like the Lion King.

VH: Song you're playing most on your iPod?
AG: "Motorcycle Drive By" by Third Eye Blind. It's my favorite song.