Kane County Chronicle Athlete of Week: Christian Phillips, Kaneland, cross country

Name: Christian Phillips, senior

School: Kaneland

Sport: Cross Country

Why he was nominated: Phillips placed seventh at the Sycamore Invitational with a time of 15 minutes, 59.6 seconds. For that performance he is the Kane County Chronicle Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Don McCue Chevy.

Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Jacob Bartelson caught up with Phillips to discuss his affinity for running, race day routines and more. Here is an edited transcript.

Bartelson: What was your inspiration to get involved with cross country?

Phillips: The funny thing about cross country was I first did [it in sixth grade] because I came from doing track. I originally was a 400-meter and 800 runner, and then I was extremely slow coming back. I went to this meet and saw people walking in a 1,500 race, so I was like, “I’m just going to be a distance runner because it looks easy.” I just did cross country originally to become better at track.

Bartelson: What’s your favorite part of running and competing?

Phillips: My favorite part is the competition level and how enjoyable running is. For me, running is one of those things that brings me happiness. When I can be happy and competitive at the same time, I just see it as a win-win.

Bartelson: What do you like to eat before a race?

Phillips: I’m an oatmeal type of person before races. No matter what day it is or when my race is, I will always eat oatmeal every day before a race. Basically, it can be any oatmeal. I typically eat brown sugar oatmeal, but it can basically be any as long as it’s oatmeal.

Bartelson: Do you have a favorite athlete? It doesn’t have to be running related. Who is it and why?

Phillips: My favorite athlete would have to be Kobe Bryant because of how hard he [worked] for what he received. We all know he was a good basketball player, but not a lot people know how hard he worked and how hard he was trying to be the best he could possibly be.

Bartelson: What’s your favorite movie?

Phillips: My favorite movie has to be “Black Panther.” I would say [it’s] my favorite movie because of how it represents the African-American community and how it diversifies the movie industry.