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 track & field runner Ellie Loesch. Ellie is a freshman from Fort Atkinson, Iowa who came to Fayette last year from South Winneshiek High School. She is majoring in exercise science.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?    
ELLIE: Loyal, Caring, Quirky.

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?    
ELLIE: Having a family away from home and getting to compete at a higher level.

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?    
ELLIE: It definitely takes a lot of motivation and good time management.

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress? 
ELLIE: Read a good book or watch a movie.

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?    
ELLIE: I would tell myself not to worry about the future so much and live in the moment.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?    
ELLIE: The closeness and the tight-knit community.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?  
ELLIE: It feels like a home away from home.

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?    
ELLIE: I want to be remembered by how much I cared about others.

PETE: What's the best thing that has happened to you in the last week?    
ELLIE: I got a gift card from my mom for a local coffee shop... I love coffee!

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?    
ELLIE: 1.) Go to a foreign country 2.) Go on a service trip to Africa or Haiti 3.) Go skydiving

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor? Why?    
ELLIE: I want to be an Occupational Therapist, so I'd say that it is my dream job. I want to specifically help kids and help them with skills to improve their everyday lives.

PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with? Why?    
ELLIE: 1.) Ellen Degeneres since she is hilarious. 2.) Lisa Vanderpump because I love her shows and she seems like a very caring person. 3.) Finally, my Grandpa as I never got to meet him so I'd like to get to know him.

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?    
ELLIE: Winning third place as a team at the state track competition during my time at South Winneshiek HS.

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?    
ELLIE: Anywhere tropical, like Jamaica or Cabo. I want to go snorkeling!

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order?    
ELLIE: Koreana, I order Chicken fried rice and shrimp tempura rolls.

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?    
ELLIE: Living somewhere warm and traveling around the world with my dog.

PETE: What are three things you cannot live without? Why?    
ELLIE: Coffee, it gives me energy. My phone, it helps me stay connected especially during this quarantine. My TV, it takes away some boredom.

PETE: Where or who do you get your inspiration from?    
ELLIE: I usually find inspiration from within or from my mom.

PETE: If you could sing a duet with someone, who would it be? What song?    
ELLIE: I would sing "party for two" with Shaina Twain.

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?    
ELLIE: American Cancer Society. My aunt passed away from breast cancer almost a year ago.

PETE: Who would your dream co-star be in a movie?    
ELLIE: Blake Lively or Bradley Cooper.

PETE: What was your first job?    
ELLIE: I was a little league softball coach.

PETE: Do you play any musical instruments?    
ELLIE: I played the flute growing up.

PETE: What is your go-to karaoke song?    
ELLIE: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.

PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?    
ELLIE: Just basic life and getting through each and every day.

Special thanks to Ellie Loesch for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view previous virtual interviews, please click here.