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 men's track & field thrower Rory Larsen. Rory is a sophomore from Dubuque, Iowa who came to Fayette two years ago from Dubuque Senior High School. He is majoring in conservation management.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?    
RORY: Laid-back, outgoing, and competitive.

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?    
RORY: My love for competing and I wanted to continue to have a supportive family around me.

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?    
RORY: It takes late nights and a lot of caffeine.

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress?    
RORY: Playing video games, working, and hunting/fishing.

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?    
RORY: Hit the weight room.

PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?    
RORY: I was born in Hawaii.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?    
RORY: It is right on the river and there are lots of cool things to explore.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?    
RORY: The people!

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?    
RORY: As a great teammate.

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?    
RORY: To skydive, travel to all seven continents, and go cliff diving.

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor? Why?    
RORY: Wildlife property manager because I would get to do what I love and be able to help people improve their properties not only from a hunting aspect but from a conservation standpoint as well.

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?    
RORY: Qualifying for the Drake Relay in discus my senior year of high school.

PETE: What fictional character (movie, TV show, book, cartoon, etc.) would you want to be for a day? Why?    
RORY: Tony Stark because the Iron Man suit would be pretty sweet.

PETE: Do you believe in aliens or ghosts? If yes, why?    
RORY: Aliens yes, ghosts no. There is so much room in the universe for another species.

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?    
RORY: High up in the Rocky Mountains. I'd go skiing and just hang out with my best friends.

PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?    
RORY: Clean up the public recreation areas.

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order?    
RORY: Texas Roadhouse, I always go for the 16 oz prime rib.

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?    
RORY: A log cabin in Colorado, two dogs, and a whole lot of mountains to explore.

PETE: What are three things you cannot live without? Why?    
RORY: My dogs, a gym, and hunting seasons. I'd probably go insane without all three.

PETE: Where or who do you get your inspiration from?    
RORY: Everyone in my life who told me I couldn't.

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?    
RORY: The University of Iowa children's hospital. My nephew spent some time there.

PETE: What is the priciest thing you've ever splurged on?
RORY: My bow, it was around $1400.

PETE: Do you play any musical instruments?    
RORY: The saxophone!

PETE: Do you have a secret talent?
RORY: I can eat three Jack's Pizzas in one sitting.

PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?    
RORY: Plants and animals.

PETE: What is your go-to home workout?    
RORY: Splitting wood by hand.

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