Being second best is not something your mother may have told you to make a habit of.
But Kelli O'Brien has made the most of her supporting role on the women's cross country team.
Though she runs in the shadow of Mid-American Conference champion Jenny Koeppel, O'Brien has improved just as quickly. She captured second team all-MAC honors two weeks ago at the Bulls' conference meet.
After beginning her collegiate career two years ago at SUNY-Delhi, the six time All-American decided to take on a bigger challenge.
"I knew I wanted to run in D-I after high school, but I thought that maybe I would try it at the smaller stage," said O'Brien. "Some of my friends, they went D-I and they ended up not liking it because it was too much and too demanding."
A native of Clifton Springs, N.Y., O'Brien began her running career in the seventh grade.
"I wasn't into the team sports ... so I decided that running was something I was good at, so I just kept up with it," O'Brien said.
After redshirting last year, she is looking to pick up where she left off. Already with three top five finishes on the year, O'Brien added another accomplishment last week. With her 12th place finish at the MAC Championships, she earned the final spot on the All-MAC second-team.
O'Brien recently finished 38th in a field of 230 runners at the Northeast Regionals held on Saturday, Nov. 13. Her time of 22:13.6 in the 6K race helped the UB women tie for ninth place with New Hampshire, in the 32-team field with 257 total points.
O'Brien says being at UB has allowed her to see the team aspect of cross country.
"When I went to Delhi I didn't have much of a team," O'Brien said. "In high school I didn't either, so having more than five girls (on a team) is amazing."
"It's not really an individual sport because during practice you push each other to keep going, because there's not too much other motivation for yourself. I don't know, I think it's motivating with workouts," she said. "The spirit keeps you pumped for meets."
Before the race begins O'Brien likes to relax and stay sociable.
"I try not to think about the race too much. If I do that I'll get negative thoughts going in my head. I try to keep my mind blank, listening to music, being around my teammates, maybe talking, not being by myself," said O'Brien.
With Koeppel graduating this spring, you would think O'Brien would be excited with the thought of perhaps moving into the top spot, but that isn't necessarily the case.
"I would consider it a bad thing. She's our girl. She keeps us motivated. That's what makes me go out there everyday. When her time drops dramatically, my time drops dramatically and it keeps me motivated and maybe I can follow in those footsteps."
A junior, O'Brien has already accomplished two of her goals: to break 22 minutes in the 6K and to make the All-MAC squad. Her other goals include running below 11 minutes in the steeplechase. O'Brien will have a chance to realize that goal during the spring outdoor track and field season, which begins in March.
Five Random Questions
Q: What will the winter mean for you?
A: I'd like to do an indoor 5K, but I'd like to concentrate on the 1000 (meter run) and the mile just to get some speed work in.
Q: What are your favorite types of music?
A: The Cure, Sublime, Taking Back Sunday, early punk and classic rock.
Q: What's your prediction for the UB basketball team?
A: I'd like to see them get into the tournament. I think they can do it.
Q: What is your favorite Olympic team?
A: I liked watching the U.S. Olympic Volleyball team.
Q: Which drink do you prefer: tea, coffee or hot chocolate?
A: Hot chocolate.
