This week on “20 Questions” Joseph Fenstermacher of Hibbing, Minnesota. Fenstermacher is in his freshman year with Fighting Hawks Track & Field. He has a personal best of 1 minute, 55.82 seconds in the 800m and 4:19.79 in the 1500m. He is majoring in History and Social Studies Education.

20Q: How did you get started in track & field?

JF: I started out in 7th grade when my brother Jesse told me I should try it out. I had heard great things about it, so I thought I would give it a try.

20Q: In your own words, describe your event and what you love about it?

JF: I run the 800. I love my race because it is challenging and I learn something new every time I run it. It helps with my speed and endurance.

20Q: What is your goal for the season?

JF: My goal for this season would be to make the outdoor conference and get my time down to 1:54.00. It would be a great accomplishment to end the season.

20Q: What does a typical day in your life look like?

JF: A typical day in my life would start with breakfast at either Wilke or if I am lucky I get to eat at Terrace with Tyler. Then it starts with my classes and after that I usually go to lunch with Adam. Then, a Super Smash Brothers tournament and then practice. I usually go to dinner with the distance crew, then I usually go do homework and with whatever free time I have left, I either watch Archer or hang out with the team.

20Q: Which athlete inspires you the most?

JF: I actually have two athletes that I admire and it would be my brother Jesse and my sister Jamie. They showed me that you can overcome any obstacle. When they both suffered big injuries they were able to overcome them and come back as great leaders and competitors in their sports.They also helped me through thick and thin with every sport I played and showed me that whatever sport I was in, whether it was soccer, hockey or track, that I could be the best if I worked hard enough.

20Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

JF: I would like to be remembered as a good teammate. I want them to know I would be there for anyone on the team who needs help. As one big track family, I want all of us to get better by having each others backs. In the long run, I hope to be a good leader for my future teammates.

20Q: What is your pre-competition ritual if you have one?

JF: My pre-competition ritual is usually just warming up and listening to either rock or country music. Then, I usually go through my same stretching routine and go up to the line with Scott and we usually do our distance handshake. Then it's time to race.

20Q: What are your hobbies outside of athletics?

JF: My hobbies outside of athletics would be hunting and fishing, disc golfing with my friends back home, playing pickup hockey on any local rink, spending time on any lake in Minnesota, and spending time with my friends and family.

20Q: Have you ever had a nickname? If so, what is it and how did you get it?

JF: My brother, sister and I all have the nickname "Fence". Its just what we have all been called by our coaches over the years. I now have the name "Baby Fence" because my brother Jesse, who was on the team before me, was always "Fence". 

20Q: Name one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?

JF: One thing that most people would be surprised to know about me would be that I was born with collapsed lungs and spent a month in the NICU and now ironically I love to run.

20Q: What is the worst or most challenging part of being an athlete?

JF: The worst thing about being an athlete would probably be balancing time out for the day. Between classes, practice and trying to find some time to hang out with friends, it's tough to find enough hours in the day.

20Q: What is the best part of being an athlete?

JF: I think the best part about being an athlete would be being able to continue the sport I love. I also loved coming into the program with a great group of teammates and it has been a blast being able to travel all over the country with them.

20Q: If you weren't being an athlete, what would you be doing?

JF: If I wasn't an athlete here at the university, I would probably try and join some sort of intramural team. I have always grown up with sports and to stop playing would be weird to me.

20Q: If you could do any event in track & field, what would it be & why?

JF: If I could do any other event, I would like to try pole vault. I just think it is really cool to watch and it would be fun to try it. I don't know if Coach Silvers would ever let me because I would probably get hurt in some strange way and I think coach would agree. 

20Q: Who has made the biggest impact in your life?

JF: The person that has made the biggest impact in my life would have to be my brother Jesse. He has helped me through every struggle and helped me accomplish many things in my life. He has always been there for me no matter what. He has always been one of my best friends and we may butt heads sometimes, but he is the man who has helped me become who I am today.

20Q: What is your goal after you graduate?

JF: My goal would be to find a great teaching job somewhere in northern Minnesota and apply for a coaching position. I would love to coach and help the next wave of athletes reach their full potential.

20Q: How would your teammates describe you?

JF: I think my teammates would describe me as funny and kind of crazy. I tend to bounce around to a lot of groups and I think every event group would describe me differently.

20Q: What is your favorite movie of all time? Why?

JF: My favorite movie would be Anchorman. I have watched that movie more times then I can count and me and Jesse can always quote the movie. It is always a constant reminder to stay classy.

20Q: If you could do anything for a day, what would it be and why?

JF: If I could do anything for a day it would be a day on the beach in Hawaii. I would love to surf and relax in paradise. That would make a perfect day.

20Q: What makes UND special to you?

JF: UND is special to me because it has been in my family since my sister first came here. I have been out here a lot since she came and it's special to me because it is like my second home. I also loved how fast I was able to get to know so many great teammates and friends along the way and I cant wait to make more memories.