Shenel Crooke
Senior Sprinter, Track and Field
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Major: Business Administration
 
Morgan State senior sprinter Shenel Crooke is coming off a gold medal performance in the 60 meter dash during last weekend's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track & Field championships in Landover, Md.

The two-time MEAC Track Performer of the Week recipient, concluded her final conference indoor championship by running a winning time of 7.41 in the 60m dash and also placed third in the 200m dash with a time of 24.53. Crooke would earn both first and third-team All-MEAC honors for her performances in the two events.
 
A native of Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Crooke will now turn her attention to the outdoor season, which gets underway on March 17-18, when the Lady Bears track and field team travels to Charlotte, N.C. for the Charlotte 49er Classic, hosted by Charlotte University

Student Life:
What is the best time of the year on campus? I think it is around homecoming week during fall.
Why did you choose MSU? Out of the options I had, Morgan seemed like the best option academically and athletically, and the business school had a great program. 
What is your major and why? Business Administration. I feel that there is a level of diversity that comes with that degree.
If you had to give an incoming student advice, what would it be? Most important thing is to prioritize and manage your time wisely.
Describe your first day as a student at Morgan To be honest, I got lost on campus going to my first class. I had one of the booklets that they gave the freshman, so I was one of the freshman walking around campus with the map. So I did look like a freshman. 
What do like about Morgan? It's a small school. People know each other and they recognize you when they see you. So it easier to get to know people.
What would you like to change at Morgan State? Maybe they could offer better activities and student organizations.
 
Pop Culture:
What social media do you prefer the most? Facebook.
Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? Why? Read the book because I actually create the scenario in my head.
What song can you not help but sing-a-long to? I can't just choose one. I think there is a lot, probably John Legend's Ordinary People.
Who is your celebrity crush? I don't have one.  
Favorite TV Show? House. 
Favorite Movie? Pirates of the Caribbean.
Favorite musician/musical group? John Legend.
My favorite cartoon or children's show as a child was… Tom and Jerry and Powder Puff Girls.   
If you could switch lives with any celebrity, who would it be and why? Maybe Alicia Keys. She seems down to earth, her music, and I think she does some philanthropic work. It seems like she isn't a full blown celebrity with drama, that's the kind of life I like.
Favorite music genre?  R&B.

Travel:
Most interesting place you've visited? Costa Rica.
Place you would like to visit? Switzerland.

Food:
Favorite home cooked meal? Sweet potato casserole.
Favorite snack? Granola bars.
Favorite breakfast cereal as a kid? Cinnamon Toast Crunch. 
I hated it when my mom made me eat? Mashed potatoes. 

Sports:
When is your favorite time of your sports season? Championship season.
Who is your favorite athlete? Why? Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce. She's an Olympian. I think she does some philanthropic work and her brand ambassadorship is something to be inspired by.
Who do you model your game after? Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce.
Which team do you most look forward to competing against? I don't have favorite team, I just welcome competition from anywhere.
Do you have any pre-game/match superstitions or rituals? I listen to music for a few hours. An hour before the warm up, I'll stop listening to the music and start paying attention to the atmosphere of the meet and then I'll start to warm up and bring all that I practice, and if I start to get nervous I'll start to sing any song that pops in my head right before the race starts.
What is your favorite part about your sport? I like to compete. I like competition more than practice.
If you could play another position, what would it be and why? Long jump because I did it when I was younger.  
What is your favorite athletic memory? I was chosen as my country's flag bearer in 2015.
Favorite pro sports team? Miami Heat.
What is your top skill? Organization.
When did you start playing basketball? Primary school.

Miscellaneous:
Would you rather be rich or famous and why? I rather be rich. I really don't like the fame too much.
If you could do one thing over, what would it be? I probably would want to do my freshman year season over again.
When you are not at practice, what could someone find you doing? Watching TV in my room.
If could play another sport, what would it be? Net ball, it's a sport we play home.
Do you have an interesting nickname? I have many nicknames but my teammates call me Cookie.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Just to do my best. Do exactly what you know how to do. 
If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be? I would witness Jessie Owens at the Olympics.
What are your goals in life? My goal in life is to be successful in whatever I do. It doesn't have to be track and field or business. Anything I'm interested in, I'm interested in being better at it.
Person you admire the most? My parents.
Coolest thing you did this summer? I represented my country in a regional championship
Most prized possession? ECAC championship ring.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be? Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Trevor Noah, and maybe Kevin Hart.
Dream event? A professional basketball game.
Cats or dogs? Dog's.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
Funniest person on the team? Everyone is a character, it's hard to choose.