Behind the Mask: Dons Spotlight with Lizzie Bird
9/27/2017 11:03:00 AM | Cross Country, Video
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SAN FRANCISCO – Newcomer to the Hilltop, Lizzie Bird, is racing into the Dons Spotlight in this episode of "Behind the Mask." Bird, a graduate student from St. Albans, England arrived this fall with a degree in politics from Princeton before joining Helen Lehman-Winter's squad.
Athletics is certainly held in high regard for the standout steeplechaser, who left the Tigers as a four-time Ivy League champion and four-time NCAA regional qualifier. Bird is expecting the high level of competitive spirit and talent for the Dons to help propel her to even new heights in an already successful collegiate running career.
"At Princeton, there was more of an emphasis on academics I would say even though we really tried to pursue athletics to a high level," notes Bird. "After four years there I wanted to continue my running further and kind of take that step to the next level, but I really wanted to be in an environment where I could just kind of see where I could go with running if I put that bit of extra time and effort into it.
"Definitely one of the reasons I wanted to come here was to be on a team that could make the podium at nationals. Helen made it clear from the very start that that was what she was planning to do, and that's what we could do together ... Helen will say to us with our first race, she was like you are crossing the line together the five of you, and that just makes it so much more fun. It just gives you that sense of security, solidarity, friendship, and we're all in it together. We're not competing against each other, we're trying to win together, and that's something that makes cross country I think really special."
No doubt Bird and the Dons have their sights set high, and so far in this young cross country season the squad is proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Last weekend, the women took both the team and individual titles at the Roy Griak Invitational as the top seven runners were all within the first 20 finishers and USF swept Nos. 1 through 4 in the race.
While Bird is being challenged athletically, she's also at USF for a higher purpose, already embracing the University's mission to Change the World from Here.
"A lot of people have asked me why I want to do my master's here, and I think it's cool that the school has such a social justice mission. Currently I'm really interested in immigration law, which would require a little bit more school, but I think I would really like to work with migrants and refugees.
"Running is only going to get you so far and it's a really fun thing to do and I would love to be successful running, but having that balance the physical and mental I think is really important."
Bird and the No. 6-ranked Dons will now have a bit of a break to focus on their mental fortitude, as USF is slated to send a contingent of athletes to the Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 30 before heading to the NuttyCombe Wisconsin Invitational on Oct. 13 in their final point-gathering event before the West Coast Conference Championships.
Bird's Dons Spotlight, and the entirety of the season's first episode of "Behind the Mask" will be reaired on NBC Sports California tonight at 5:30 p.m.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, NBC Sports California can typically be found on channel 698 for DirecTV customers, 438 on the Dish Network, 412-01 on Dish Hopper packages, 767 on U-Verse and 41 on most Comcast packages. CSN Bay Area can be generally be accessed at channel 40 on Comcast, 41 on the Dish Network, 696 for DirecTV subscribers, and at 770 on U-Verse.
Check local listings for your cable provider's station guide and additional air dates and times each month. Segments from the show as well as past seasons of "Behind the Mask" can also be found on-demand on USF Athletics' Youtube channel.
SAN FRANCISCO – Newcomer to the Hilltop, Lizzie Bird, is racing into the Dons Spotlight in this episode of "Behind the Mask." Bird, a graduate student from St. Albans, England arrived this fall with a degree in politics from Princeton before joining Helen Lehman-Winter's squad.
Athletics is certainly held in high regard for the standout steeplechaser, who left the Tigers as a four-time Ivy League champion and four-time NCAA regional qualifier. Bird is expecting the high level of competitive spirit and talent for the Dons to help propel her to even new heights in an already successful collegiate running career.
"At Princeton, there was more of an emphasis on academics I would say even though we really tried to pursue athletics to a high level," notes Bird. "After four years there I wanted to continue my running further and kind of take that step to the next level, but I really wanted to be in an environment where I could just kind of see where I could go with running if I put that bit of extra time and effort into it.
"Definitely one of the reasons I wanted to come here was to be on a team that could make the podium at nationals. Helen made it clear from the very start that that was what she was planning to do, and that's what we could do together ... Helen will say to us with our first race, she was like you are crossing the line together the five of you, and that just makes it so much more fun. It just gives you that sense of security, solidarity, friendship, and we're all in it together. We're not competing against each other, we're trying to win together, and that's something that makes cross country I think really special."
No doubt Bird and the Dons have their sights set high, and so far in this young cross country season the squad is proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Last weekend, the women took both the team and individual titles at the Roy Griak Invitational as the top seven runners were all within the first 20 finishers and USF swept Nos. 1 through 4 in the race.
While Bird is being challenged athletically, she's also at USF for a higher purpose, already embracing the University's mission to Change the World from Here.
"A lot of people have asked me why I want to do my master's here, and I think it's cool that the school has such a social justice mission. Currently I'm really interested in immigration law, which would require a little bit more school, but I think I would really like to work with migrants and refugees.
"Running is only going to get you so far and it's a really fun thing to do and I would love to be successful running, but having that balance the physical and mental I think is really important."
Bird and the No. 6-ranked Dons will now have a bit of a break to focus on their mental fortitude, as USF is slated to send a contingent of athletes to the Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 30 before heading to the NuttyCombe Wisconsin Invitational on Oct. 13 in their final point-gathering event before the West Coast Conference Championships.
Bird's Dons Spotlight, and the entirety of the season's first episode of "Behind the Mask" will be reaired on NBC Sports California tonight at 5:30 p.m.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, NBC Sports California can typically be found on channel 698 for DirecTV customers, 438 on the Dish Network, 412-01 on Dish Hopper packages, 767 on U-Verse and 41 on most Comcast packages. CSN Bay Area can be generally be accessed at channel 40 on Comcast, 41 on the Dish Network, 696 for DirecTV subscribers, and at 770 on U-Verse.
Check local listings for your cable provider's station guide and additional air dates and times each month. Segments from the show as well as past seasons of "Behind the Mask" can also be found on-demand on USF Athletics' Youtube channel.
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