Q-and-A with Joey Santillo, Minooka
September 30, 2012 6:10PM
Joey Santillo, Minooka. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
high school
CUBE
Updated: November 2, 2012 6:11AM
The senior is the area’s leading returnee from the 2011 Class 3A state meet. Only two returning runners in Illinois finished higher than Santillo, 16th in 14 minutes, 48 seconds.
How’s this year going?
I’ve stayed healthy. My fitness is good. Peoria Woodruff was my best meet so far. I got second. I ran a very smart race. That definitely boosted my confidence.
How did you get started running?
I started in junior high. I was a baseball player and I played a lot of lacrosse. I realized I could go far with running and hopefully pay for my education.
Who’s the one person you’d like to meet?
Teddy Roosevelt. My history teachers look up to him. He hunted elephants, did a lot of interesting things in his life.
Who would play you in the movie of your life?
Brad Pitt. The ladies dig him. I really liked “Troy” and “A River Runs Through It.”
Favorite sport?
To watch, it’s hockey. My family is into the sport. I’m a big Anaheim Ducks fan. My dad tried to change me, but I’ve always been a Ducks fan.
Favorite event from the Olympics?
The steeplechase. Evan Jager, he’s my favorite athlete.
Favorite pigout food?
Bread. I love bread. It’s the Italian kid in me. Loaves of Italian bread.
Favorite food at the school
cafeteria?
We’ve actually got real good soup, real good cream of rice.
What will you remember most about high school?
The awesome senior leaders I had. They helped me shape my work ethic and what I do today.
As told to Tim Tierney
