April 25, 2003

By Josh Griffin
The Santa Clara Sports Editor

Freshman John Hinman, a native of Bend, Ore., was a key contributor to one of the best seasons in Santa Clara men's cross country history, helping the team to a second place finish in the West Coast Conference Championships. He placed 10th overall at the WCC meet, earning first team All-WCC honors. He also placed seventh at the Bronco Invitational and set a season-best in the 8,000-meter race at the Stanford Invitational with a time of 25:32. He took a few minutes of his time to sit down with Sports Editor Josh Griffin to talk about his outstanding freshman season, his goals for next year and his dreams about the Boston Red Sox that, in all likelihood, will not come true.

JG: What brought you to Santa Clara?
JH: I wanted to have an immediate impact on a team, and all the other schools I got recruited at I would have struggled to make varsity as a freshman. Also I wanted to get down into the sunshine.

JG: Were you satisfied with your first year performance?
JH: I was very satisfied with my performance this year. I had a lot of good races, and I think I fit in well with the team.

JG: You guys work out pretty hard in the spring. How is spring training season going thus far?
JH: It was going really well at first. I tied the school record in the 5K, but since then injuries have been frustrating and difficult to overcome.

JG: What do you like to do to unwind during the season?
JH: I'm a big movie fan, and they are the perfect way to unwind. I love video games also. Nothing beats sitting in front of the tube with a grande snus.

JG: What is the best movie you've seen thus far this year?
JH: I just saw "City of God," a Brazilian independent film, and it was amazing.

JG: What are your individual goals for the 2003 season?
JH: In cross country season I would like to be the top runner, place in the top three at conference and 30 at regionals, and beyond that become a strong team leader.

JG: Do you view yourself as a leader, and if so, how do you provide leadership?
JH: I view myself as a leader, but I think that I have yet to come into my own here. I think I lead by being one of the fastest, trying to set a good example of commitment to the team and by having a strong will and voice on the team.

JG: I know most of your family is from New England, and you're hopelessly delusional about the future of the Red Sox, just as I am for the Cubs. But when will the Red Sox finally win the World Series?
JH: I think they are looking pretty good this year, but if not for sure within the next three. I'd like them to hold off till I get to law school in Boston, though, so I can watch some of the series there.