Stephen Clark Senior Profile

DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke men's cross country team has started its 2011 campaign with a 7-0 record after taking the team title at the James Madison Invitational last Saturday in Harrisonburg, Va. Senior Stephen Clark saw his first action since the 2009 cross country season after missing last fall due to injury. Clark finished second overall at the JMU Invite, clocking 25:07.30 on the 7.9K course. GoDuke.com recently caught up with Clark to learn more about the Salt Lake City, Utah native.

GoDuke.com: What's on your bucket list?

Stephen Clark: I definitely want to go skydiving. I'd love to go spend a couple months backpacking through Europe, where I don't really have a plan and kind of just find random odd jobs. I think that would be cool - to just wake up every day and not know exactly what you're doing.

GoDuke.com: What do you have DVR'd?

SC: I like "Modern Family," "House" a little bit. "Family Guy" is always a fun one.

GoDuke.com: Do you have any embarrassing music on your iPod?

SC: I like country music. If you come in my car, I'll be playing country.

GoDuke.com: Do you have any superstitions or pre-race rituals?

SC: Peanut butter sandwiches. I think that's fairly common in cross country and track, but I always have a peanut butter sandwich before a race.

GoDuke.com: What has been your favorite class at Duke?

SC: That's a really hard one because I have so many favorite classes. I've loved the classes I've taken with the Human Development curriculum.

GoDuke.com: What has been your toughest class at Duke?

SC: Intro Chem.

GoDuke.com: Where do you like to study on campus?

SC: Usually I go to the third floor of Perkins.

GoDuke.com: Can you cook? If so, what are you good at?

SC: I make this three-layer Jell-O. It's got a lot of fruit in it, and everybody thinks it's funny. They always joke about it with me.

GoDuke.com: What is your favorite restaurant in Durham?

SC: Cinelli's. I think it's the pasta-track thing.

GoDuke.com: Who would you trade places with for a day?

SC: Richard Branson - The Virgin Group CEO. I feel like he's always taking his planes somewhere and skydiving and meeting the queen of this and the president of that.

GoDuke.com: Who would be your dream date?

SC: Sofia Vergara on "Modern Family." That Columbian accent gets me every time.

GoDuke.com: What is your worst habit?

SC: I always leave the milk out, for whatever reason. My roommates are always on me about it.

GoDuke.com: I wish I knew how to ________.

SC: I wish I was better with working on cars. I wish I knew how to strip it all apart and rebuild it. I've been around it a little bit, but I've never totally understood it.

GoDuke.com: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

SC: Hopefully just have a job and maybe starting a family.

GoDuke.com: Who has had the most impact on your life?

SC: My mom. Me and my mom have been through a lot together. We've had a lot of ups, a lot of downs and have a great relationship.

GoDuke.com: Describe Coach Ogilvie in one word.

SC: Energetic and/or passionate.

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