Meet the Utes: Simone Plourde

We open this season's Meet the Utes segment with Simone Plourde, who is a Montreal, Canada, native that transferred in from BYU (2020-21).
 
Plourde began running at the age of 15 after alpine ski racing for a part of her life. "One year, my dad and I signed up for a cross-country race in the mountains for fun and I absolutely loved it!" she said. "I slowly transitioned to road races and eventually found myself doing track by 2017." 
 
She didn't fully realize how much potential she had as a runner until her senior year. "It wasn't until January 2020 when I ran a 4:42 mile that I realized I could compete at the collegiate level. I barely knew anything about running competitively. My plans were to study in Montreal. After that result, I started getting a few emails from coaches in the States and only then did I really start considering it."
 
After spending her freshman year at BYU, Plourde decided to enter the transfer portal and ultimately picked the Utes. "I chose Utah for the individualized training approach of the coaches, the team atmosphere, the benefits of training at altitude, the mountains, the quality of education and more!"
 
During her time as a student-athlete, Plourde hopes to take advantage of the University's amazing medical program by majoring in psychology, as well as pre-med.
 
"I have love being a part of the team so much! Right from the start, at camp, I felt welcomed and part of the team. I think it's awesome being a part of a team that's very driven both in school and on the track!"
 
Like any athlete, Plourde does get nervous before big competitions. She, however, has found the perfect thing to calm herself down. "I talk with a friend or family about anything other than running! If ever I feel nervous before a race I like to remind myself that pressure is a privilege and at the end of the day, it is supposed to be fun. Keeping a light-minded approach is important to me."
 
Plourde will be making her debut as a Ute this Thursday, Sept. 23, when the Women of Utah compete at the Dellinger Invitational hosted by Oregon at the Pine Ridge Golf Club.
 
MORE ABOUT SIMONE PLOURDE 
Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Green
 
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes, a chocolate Labrador named Lily
 
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: I don't have one in particular but recently I've been watching Manifest and I'm very into it
 
Q: What is your favorite drink?
A: Matcha
 
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Grilled salmon or homemade pizza
 
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: Dans le murmure des feuilles qui dansent by Agnes Ledig
 
Q: What do you wish you knew more about?
A: I wish I knew more about astronomy
 
Q: What would be your ultimate vacation?
A: Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro with a safari tour
 
Q: What is your favorite thing about the University of Utah?
A: The mountains!!
 
Q: Who is your favorite musician?
A: One is too hard to pick but I love Declan McKenna, Steve Lacy, Still Woozy, The Strokes... 
 
Q: What is your dream car?
A: Tesla
 
Q: What would be your dream job?
A: Running professionally would be pretty awesome

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