Feature Friday Series: Delaney Gates
By Kathryn Vargas
For the newest addition of our Feature Friday series, we chat with freshman Delaney Gates from Elk Grove, Calif.
Gates attended Pleasant Grove High School (CA), where she was captain of the track and field team, member of the cheerleading team for two years and four-year letterwinner. During her senior season, she was ranked No. 1 in the Delta League and the Sac-Joaquin Section, a notable achievement given the size and nature of competitions in this region. Gates earned academic excellence honors all four years of high school and was a three-time community service award recipient.
Gates and her family have always been in the athletic scene. Her father, Tony Gates, was a track & field and football student-athlete at West Point and her older brother, Oliver, is currently a sophomore on the Sacramento State track and field team. Gates attributes her success in track to her father, who was her coach since elementary school and to her mother, Ann Grottveit, who showed unconditional support by attending every single meet and encouraging growth in the sport. She also recognizes the influence her high school coach had in her decision to switch from sprints to jumps in track.
As an athlete, Gates looks forward to every competition she can share with her team, as well as to constantly improve her records and refine her skills. As a student, Gates is most excited to meet new people and dive deeper into her marketing major.
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: You can never go wrong with black
Q: If you could visit any location, where would it be?
A: I want to travel around Europe!
Q: Who is your biggest athletic inspiration?
A: I have so many but Brittney Reese and Tiana Bartoletta because they're amazing jumpers and Vashti
Cunningham because of the way she carries herself
Q: What's your favorite food?
A: Anything with cheese
Q: What's your favorite holiday/celebration?
A: Christmas!
Q: What is your favorite memory/ experience with the team thus far?
A: When we went to the beach after our San Diego State meet. We were all so genuinely happy to be there with each other and it definitely made us closer
Q: If you had a superpower what would it be?
A: As a jumper I like to spend a lot of time in the air, so I would definitely want to fly
Q: Who is your favorite celebrity?
A: Lil Uzi Vert, I have no explanation for this one
Q: If you could only listen to one artist for the rest of your life, who would it be?
A: I'd have to choose Drake because he's number 1 for a reason
Q: What is your favorite part of being at the University of Utah?
A: It's gorgeous here, the views and sunsets are unmatched
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Twilight series, I wish I was kidding
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: Big Brother
Q: If you were stranded on an island and were able to take one person with you, who would you take?
A: Miley Cyrus. I have so many questions for her and she could also sing me to sleep every night
Q: What is your dream job?
A: Housewife on a reality TV show
Q: What is your future profession?
A: I want to be the head of marketing for either a sports or fashion company
###