KUTZTOWN, PA. (September 15, 2009) –
With
more appointments than an overbooked airline, it would seem as
if Kutztown University junior cross-country runner Cristina
Reimer (Chester Springs, PA/Downingtown East) would need a
personal secretary to keep up with her hectic schedule of dance
classes, cross-country practices and late-night study sessions.
She’s a standout student-athlete, and an
exceptional dancer. More importantly, she
is the Energizer bunny of the women’s cross-country team. With a
bright personality that illuminates a dark room, Reimer
resembles a human cup of Starbucks double-shot coffee because
moving constantly.
Reimer, a general studies dance major, spends
plenty of time on her feet moving to the hip-hop beats of Jay-Z,
gliding to the soothing sounds of ballet, swaying to the
rhythmic melodies of Beyonce or jogging through muddy and wet
cross-country courses. Reimer began the 2009 cross-country
season with a bang by winning the Maroon-and-Gold Invitational
last weekend.
The affable Reimer is looking to continue her
success this weekend when KU participates in the Br. Doyle Meet
of Champions hosted by Iona College Saturday morning beginning
at 9:30 a.m.
When she’s not in
one of her many dance classes, she's training for
cross-country. Then in the winter and spring, Reimer is running
the 3,000-meter, 5,000-meter and the steeplechase events for the
indoor and outdoor track teams. In between her running, Reimer
is patiently getting closer to her ultimate goal of being a
choreographer.
“I like dancing because it keeps you moving,”
Reimer said. “I’ve always been an active person and I hate
sitting around not doing anything. I definitely want to make a
career out of dance.”
Reimer has been dancing for close 10 years.
Reimer, a petite ball of muscle and energy, taught dance classes
at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Paoli for three years after
graduating from Downingtown East High School. She got interested
in dance during her freshman year of high school when she went
to a production. The attraction was instant. Reimer hasn’t
stopped dancing since.
“I loved teaching and I didn’t want to leave at
all,” Reimer said. “I wanted to come to college right after high
school, but I got an opportunity to really focus on dance and I
had to take that. Then (former Kutztown standout) Joanna
Hortsmann told coach (Ray Hoffman) about me and I started on the
team two years ago. Now I am running again.”
She is flourishing despite the three-year hiatus.
Reimer ran in high school before turning all of her attention to
the nuances of dancing.
Reimer is having a nice cross-country career at
Kutztown. Last season, she earned all-Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference (PSAC) honors. She finished 19th
overall at the PSAC Championship meet (22 minutes, 12 seconds)
and 32nd in the Atlantic Regionals (23:30). Not bad
for somebody who spent some time away from the track.
“Being named to the all-PSAC team meant a lot to
me because I am older,” Reimer said. “Because when I started,
coach teased me and asked me how I was going to be able to keep
up with the younger girls. I told coach, I might be a little
older, but I can still hang.”
With four older brothers, Reimer was easily
influenced in playing sports. She began playing soccer when she
was around 7 years old before finding a permanent home on the
cross-country course and on the track.
Her big break came when she didn’t make her high
school soccer team. The coach referred Reimer to the
cross-country coach and that became a perfect union.
Reimer did get an opportunity to get off her feet
this summer. She spent some time at the beach. She also saw the
play, “Rent” on Broadway. Currently, she has her sights set on
conquering the cross-country course and then she has an eye
towards becoming the best choreographer in the business.
“It’s definitely been challenging for me,” Reimer
said of trying to balance both. “I’ve learned to take care of my
body a little better and rest as much as I can. I have so much
on my plate that it’s not even funny, but it’s fun because I get
to do both things that I love. I couldn’t imagine my life
without either (dance or running).
--KU--
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