Throughout the 2011 season we will be bringing you either a set of 20 questions from a Golden Gopher cross country squad member or an article focusing on a student-athlete from this years team. In our first crack at 2011, gophersports.com talked with Niagara, Wis. sophomore Jamie Vandenberg.

Gophersports.com: Use five words to describe yourself.   
Jamie Vandenberg: Friendly, easy-going, personable, loud, tall

GS: Describe your perfect day - who would you spend it with, what would you do, where would you be?
JV: At my cottage in Rhinelander with my family and friends! Out on the water tubing and skiing all day and around the campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows at night!

GS: What is your pre-race routine?
JV: I get up and eat a bowl of cereal and a piece of toast with peanut butter and banana slices. I listen to my ipod while I'm getting the rest of my race gear together. Once we're at the course, we do team affirmations and then warm up for about 2 miles. I do drills and strides and play one last song. Then its team cheer and RACE TIME!

GS: Other than the Gophers, what is your favorite sports team? (College or Pro)
JV: GREEN BAY PACKERS!!!!

GS:  What do you miss the most about being at home?
JV: My mom's delicious cooking!

GS:  Who was the most famous person you have ever met?
JV: Gary Wilson

GS:  If your life was to be turned into a movie, what genre would it be; what would the title be; what actor would you have star in it?
JV: I would be in a documentary with Morgan Freeman called "Jamie: the Movie" and he would narrate my life.

GS: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
JV: New Zealand

GS: What was the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
JV: In Kindergarten, I wore a dress to the first day of school. A boy lifted it up and showed the entire class my underwear... that was the end of dresses for a while.

GS: What is the best advice you have received? Who was it from?
JV: "Remember what is most important... it's not having everything go right, it's facing whatever goes wrong. It's not being without fear; it's having the determination to go on in spite of it. Remember that every day ends and brings a new tomorrow full of exciting new things. Love what you do, and do the best you can!"- From my high school volleyball coach, Mrs. St. Arnauld.

GS: What are you listening to on your iPod right now?

JV: My Ipod is currently not in use so I've been using my dad's... Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire, tends to pop up a lot.

GS:  If you had the choice to travel either forward or backward in time, which would you choose? Why?
JV: I would go back in time to give Ben & Jerry a pat on the back for giving the world FREE CONE DAY!

GS: Where is your favorite place at the University of Minnesota?
JV: Stone Arch Bridge

GS:  What is your major? Why did you choose this major?
JV: My Major is Kinesiology with a focus on pre-PA. I chose kinesiology because I think learning about the mechanics behind the movement in our bodies is really interesting.

GS: What is the first thing you think about when you wake up?
JV: What cereal should I have this morning??

GS:  Do you have any siblings? How many?
JV: I have 3 siblings. Robin and Hollie are my two older sisters and Darren is my older brother.

GS: What is your favorite class or professor so far at Minnesota, and why?
JV: Although it was really stressful most days, I liked going to Chemistry lab. Taking it with Missa Varpness might have helped... we were definitely laughing more than mixing chemicals!

GS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
JV: ice cream

GS:  Who was your role-model as a child? Why? Has your role model changed now that you are older?
JV: My role models have always been my parents. They are the two most dedicated, loving, and kind-hearted people I know.

GS: How has being a student and athlete at Minnesota influenced your life?
JV: By joining this team, I have been blessed with a second family who is always there for me!