Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the spring season, the Upper Iowa Athletics Department is spending the next few months spotlighting many of our Peacock student-athletes whose spring seasons came to a premature end.
In today's virtual interview, Pete the Peacock gets to know UIU women's golfer Ilayna Long. Ilayna is a senior from Tomah, Wis. who came to Fayette four years ago from Tomah High School. She is majoring in Health Services Administration.
PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?
ILAYNA: Quiet, hardworking and honest
PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?
ILAYNA: I love to golf and didn't want to stop competing
PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?
ILAYNA: It takes a lot of organization
PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?
ILAYNA: Keep your head up because it will all work out in the end
PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?
ILAYNA: I played hockey when I was younger
PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
ILAYNA: It is small enough to where most everyone knows everyone, but still has a big town feel to it
PETE: How do you want to be remembered?
ILAYNA: As someone who was hardworking and dedicated
PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
ILAYNA: Play golf in Scotland, visit all 50 states, and travel to Alaska
PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with? Why?
ILAYNA: My Grandma - to see her again, Arnold Palmer and Jack Niklaus- to listen to the many stories they have
PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?
ILAYNA: Getting my hole-in-one
PETE: What fictional character (movie, TV show, book, cartoon, etc.) would you want to be for a day? Why?
ILAYNA: Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants because everyone needs a lazy day once in a while
PETE: What is your favorite home cooked meal?
ILAYNA: Orange chicken and rice
PETE: Do you have any collections? If so, what?
ILAYNA: I collect score cards from every golf course I've been to
PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?
ILAYNA: Hawaii. I would go to the beach, golf and explore the islands
PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?
ILAYNA: Everything would be tax free for the day
PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?
ILAYNA: Living somewhere warm year round, golfing and taking up other hobbies as well
PETE: What are three things you cannot live without? Why?
ILAYNA: V8 energy because it is my "morning coffee", my computer because it has my life on it, and a sweatshirt because I'm always cold
PETE: If you could sing a duet with someone, who would it be? What song?
ILAYNA: Dan + Shay and their song Tequila
PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?
ILAYNA: Cancer research and foundations because of my grandma
PETE: What is your go-to karaoke song?
ILAYNA: I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys
PETE: If you were a rap artist, what would your stage name be?
ILAYNA: DJ Layn
PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?
ILAYNA: It would be rating different vacation spots
PETE: Who would your dream co-star be in a movie?
ILAYNA: Zac Efron
PETE: What would you bring on a one-way trip to Mars?
ILAYNA: Food, clothes, and a camera to take pictures
Special thanks to Ilayna Long for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view previous virtual interviews, please click here.
