Record breaking Steeplechaser
Athlete of the Week: Kim Kilgroe
Amy Franklin
Issue date: 3/16/09 Section: Sports
Blended beets and carrots don't mix well.
But for student-athlete Kim Kilgroe, 19, it ignited her passion for health and nutrition in middle school. Currently, she is on the De Anza College Track & Field team and in her final quarter.
Her parents told her to blend the mixed vegetables into her Jack LaLanne Power Juice to improve her health.
"Health is an acquired taste," Kilgroe said. "I've learned to like a lot of things that I didn't like before."
It appears the blended drinks worked. Kilgroe recently broke the school record in the 3000-meter Steeplechase. She also qualified for the Northern California Track Championships in six different events - more than anyone else on the current squad.
Kilgroe's habits make her stand out among the rest. She can be seen warming up in bright red or purple leggings before a meet.
"It makes me feel bold," Kilgroe said. "And it brings out my bright yellow and green spikes."
Kilgroe has a set of rituals prior to her event. She paints her nails black to make her feel tough, an idea she got after reading about another runner in Runner's World magazine. You can often find her in the bleachers listening to techno music prior to her events, while chewing Jelly-Belly Sports Beans.
"They are mostly just an excuse to eat candy before a meet," Kilgroe said.
Healthy eating habits are something she picked up from her parents. Majoring in nutrition, her family's active lifestyle was a huge motivation for her physical fitness.
Kilgroe wants to be a nutritionist, specializing in childhood obesity and educating children of their eating habits. Her own eating habits are transparent in her frequent visits to Whole Foods.
She didn't like other sports growing up, except swimming. She finds the individuality aspect of running, while also being part of a team, her favorite thing about the sport. When running gets hard, the thought of victory is an extra push she often needs to finish.
After leaving De Anza track, Kilgroe said she would like to be remembered for the record she broke at San Francisco State on Saturday, March 7 in the 3000-meter Steeplechase and hopes to compete in every event which not many athletes do.
"Kim has really worked hard to develop into the athlete she is right now. Her hard work is really starting to pay off for her," said head coach Nick Mattis.
But for student-athlete Kim Kilgroe, 19, it ignited her passion for health and nutrition in middle school. Currently, she is on the De Anza College Track & Field team and in her final quarter.
Her parents told her to blend the mixed vegetables into her Jack LaLanne Power Juice to improve her health.
"Health is an acquired taste," Kilgroe said. "I've learned to like a lot of things that I didn't like before."
It appears the blended drinks worked. Kilgroe recently broke the school record in the 3000-meter Steeplechase. She also qualified for the Northern California Track Championships in six different events - more than anyone else on the current squad.
Kilgroe's habits make her stand out among the rest. She can be seen warming up in bright red or purple leggings before a meet.
"It makes me feel bold," Kilgroe said. "And it brings out my bright yellow and green spikes."
Kilgroe has a set of rituals prior to her event. She paints her nails black to make her feel tough, an idea she got after reading about another runner in Runner's World magazine. You can often find her in the bleachers listening to techno music prior to her events, while chewing Jelly-Belly Sports Beans.
"They are mostly just an excuse to eat candy before a meet," Kilgroe said.
Healthy eating habits are something she picked up from her parents. Majoring in nutrition, her family's active lifestyle was a huge motivation for her physical fitness.
Kilgroe wants to be a nutritionist, specializing in childhood obesity and educating children of their eating habits. Her own eating habits are transparent in her frequent visits to Whole Foods.
She didn't like other sports growing up, except swimming. She finds the individuality aspect of running, while also being part of a team, her favorite thing about the sport. When running gets hard, the thought of victory is an extra push she often needs to finish.
After leaving De Anza track, Kilgroe said she would like to be remembered for the record she broke at San Francisco State on Saturday, March 7 in the 3000-meter Steeplechase and hopes to compete in every event which not many athletes do.
"Kim has really worked hard to develop into the athlete she is right now. Her hard work is really starting to pay off for her," said head coach Nick Mattis.
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