Even after running for four years, sophomore Jackie Bozich of the cross-country team refuses to slow down.
Bozich, a sophomore from Cornwall, N.Y., has had a passion for running ever since she could remember.
Bozich started playing soccer when she was 3-years-old and had been playing it as a sophomore at Cornwall Central High School. In order to keep in shape for soccer she ran track, where her infatuation came to fruition. When the track coach saw how well she ran, he persuaded her to stick with track and she did just that, winning 11 letters throughout her high school career.
Her coach told her that she would not have enough time for both running and for soccer, so she had to choose and running came out on top. Her most memorable moment was in high school when she placed third in an annual tournament. In addition to the third-place finish, she earned a personal record that she still holds dear to her.
Bozich found herself at the University at Buffalo after hearing the testimony of the daughter of her mother's friend. Bozich came for a tour and fell in love with the campus.
"I like it a lot right now," Bozich said. "I just love it here."
Buffalo head coach Vicki Mitchell is very happy with Bozich's decision to join the Bulls.
"I love her to death, she's a great young lady," Mitchell said. "She has made some tremendous gains this year."
Bozich's biggest athletics influences to date are her high school coaches, David Feuer and Brian Creeden. The duo provided much motivation and made her want to run as best as she could, making her the best she could be.
On the day of a big race, Bozich is a little superstitious before she gets on the track. She wears the same pair of pink socks every race with her flats as a precaution for a good race.
When she's not running, Bozich loves to have fun with her friends. She loves to watch movies, including her two favorites in Mean Girls and Step Brothers. She also loves to indulge in Ben and Jerry's Half-Baked ice cream whenever she gets a chance.
Mitchell says that Bozich puts a priority on her academics and she shows respect to every single person who ever comes in her path.
"From a coach's standpoint, there's not much more I could ask for," Mitchell said.
According to Bozich, her favorite professional athletic influence is former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber. She envies his running skills and his drive to finish.
On the course or in the classroom it seems that Bozich is proficient at anything she sets her mind to. She has the skill and the will to do and continue doing well.
From Cornwall to Buffalo, she is willing to do what it takes to succeed and she hopes that there are many more, successful years to come.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
