Men's Cross Country

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Mitchell Popp, UW-Stout

Each week during the 2022-23 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Mitchell Popp
Institution:  UW-Stout
Hometown (High School):  Eagle River, Wis. (Northland Pines High School)
Year in school:  5th year senior
Sports:  Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
Major:  Health Wellness and Fitness
Minor:  Psychology


Why did you choose UW-Stout?
I chose UW-Stout because I really liked visiting and the tour I had went great. I had some friends go to Stout and my mom also graduated from Stout in 1991. Stout definitely seemed like the right fit for me.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
Athletes in Action, Cru, Pre-Health Society.
 
What causes do you care about?
I really care about health promotions.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I really like how supportive athletes are in the WIAC. WIAC alumni are also really passionate about their experience and still really care about what happens with our conference.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Mushroom and Swiss Butter Burger
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Chocolate Oreo Volcano
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Library
Movie?  That’s My Boy
Holiday?  Christmas
Food?  Spaghetti
Musical Group/Artist?  Freezer Jam
Professional Sports Athlete/Team?  Green Bay Packers
Vacation Spot?  Mosinee, Wis.
 
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
In 2019 at the Oshkosh Invitational, I had a really great race and was able to push through a small injury that helped me perform better mentally as I was able to push myself while dealing with uncontrollable pains that held me physically back.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
I really enjoy going on trips to different places!
 
One word that describes your team?
Family.
 
One word that describes you?
Adventurous.
 
What is your dream job? 
Anything health care or athletics related
Athletic Director
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Travel to different countries.
---Sky dive.
---Climb a mountain.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
The ability to get sick a lot.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
As a team, we wear Hawaiians the day before every cross country meet.
 
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