Editor's note: "20 Questions" is a weekly series that will feature a High Point University cross country senior throughout the fall season. Check back next week for a "20 Questions" edition with Chris Colo.
 
HIGH POINT, N.C. - Lauren Blackwell hails from Bear, Del., and has been a mainstay on the women's cross country team throughout her career at High Point University. A three-time Millis Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Big South Presidential Honor Roll, Blackwell placed 43^rd at the Gardner-Webb Invitational (Sept. 5) to open her 2014 cross country campaign.
 
High Point University
 
1) Why did you choose High Point University?
"I loved the atmosphere and the team goals Coach [Jenna] Wrieden had talked to me about – progressing the team forward, striving to get better and competing with bigger schools. I also loved the up and coming exercise science program."
 
2) In your opinion, what makes HPU an extraordinary place?
"The campus – first and foremost – but also just the community in a sense and the easy access to faculty if you have questions. Also the facilities, the sports facilities and the classrooms, is what makes HPU different from other schools."
 
3) What are your plans after graduation?
"My plans are to go io physical therapy school. I've pretty much finished up the application process, I just have a few more supplemental applications for some of my schools."
 
Cross Country
 
4) What are some of your best memories from your cross career at HPU?
"Some of my favorite memories have been our fall break trips to Boone, spending time in the house. It's nice to get out somewhere different from the High Point area to run. Another favorite is the time around the conference meet and the team atmosphere during that time."
 
5) What's on your warm-up mix on Spotify/your iPhone, etc.?
"Taylor Swift and anything that's good pump up music. I like hip hop and rap. A little bit of everything, honestly, depending on the day."
 
6) What's your favorite cross country course that you've run?
"I really like the course out in Boone, N.C., where they host the Blue Ridge Open. It's a relatively fast, flat course and provides a bit of diversity from some of the other pre-conference courses we run."
 
7) If you go for a run anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
"Somewhere in South America or Africa would be really cool."
 
8) Did you have a running idol that you've looked up to during your career?
"One of my major role models, especially in high school, was [U.S. Olympian] Shalane Flanagan. I always looked up to her."
 
Team Superlatives
 
9) If you were stranded on a desert island, which teammate would you pick to help you and why?
"I would probably say Kasey Spence. Everyone on this team is super positive, but there's something about her that, even when I'm really struggling, she's always there for me. I can always count on her."
 
10) Funniest on the team?
"I'd have to say Sarah Dorrell."
 
11) Best dancer?
"Erika Peoples."
 
12) Most creative?
"Linsdey Siska is very creative."
 
Pop Culture
 
13) Favorite movie?
"That's a hard one because I have a lot of favorites. One of my favorites would be 'The Help.'"
 
14) Favorite TV show?
"I really love 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.'"
 
15) Favorite book?
"'Once a Runner' is a really good one. Another one I read recently is 'Heaven Is For Real.'"
 
16) Favorite professional sports team?
"Philadelphia Eagles."
 
Miscellaneous
 
17) Do you have any nicknames?
"Some of my teammates in high school called me 'LB' for short."
 
18) Who's your personal hero?
"My parents because they are super supportive and who I turn to whenever I need help. They're always there for me."
 
19) If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be and why?
"I'd have to say my grandparents. They've all passed away, so any chance I could get to spend time with them again would be something I'd cherish."
 
20) What's the best advice you've ever received?
"I experienced a lot of injuries in high school. My high school coach told me that injuries make you stronger and they're just a chance for you to see how determined and how dedicated you actually are."

#GoHPU