University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Get To Know Me: Abigail Tankersley
Sep 18, 2015 | Women's Cross Country
The junior transfer joins her brother as part of the Tigers cross country/track programs.
Today's "Get To Know Me" feature highlights Abigail Tankersley, who's making it a family affair this season after her transfer to Memphis this past summer. Her brother, Stephen, is a senior on the men's cross country/track and field program, and her father, Michael, was a member of the Memphis football program in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Abigail earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama last spring (only took three years) and is pursuing her MBA at Memphis.
Sport-Related
1. How did you get into distance running? Growing up in the middle of four boys, I was always trying to prove I could keep up in every sport. When I was in sixth grade, my two older brothers joined and ran for a local homeschool track team. I began running that spring and ran my first cross country season the following fall. I've been competing ever since. Distance running was the first organized competitive sport I did; I love being able to channel my competitiveness and drive to succeed. Distance running has also brought me into contact with some of the most incredible people, experiences and memories. I've had the opportunity to travel places and learn things that otherwise wouldn't have been possible.
2. What has been your most embarrassing moment in a meet/event? I've always competed in distance events, but for whatever reason, my coach in junior high felt I had potential as a triple jumper. To do him justice, I did have a short-lived reign as the school's triple jump record-holder. Unfortunately, my coordination skills curtailed my triple jump career to less than a season of competition. During a run-through at practice, I tripped on my shoelace, skidded down the runway and face-planted in the sand. Naturally, most of the team was standing nearby and saw the whole thing. The physical and emotional scars from that day are still present on my knees and in memory.
3. How many times have people told you distance running is outrageous? How do you respond to them? For the most part, I actually haven't received negative reactions from others when they learn about my distance running. The most common question is whether I've ever ran a marathon (answer is no). For people with this viewpoint, I'd direct them to the vast (and growing) body of research showing the positive (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritually) benefits distance running can bring.
4. If you weren't a distance runner, what track and field event would you like to compete in? Javelin, pole vault or hurdles. I have so much respect for the athleticism and grace shown by athletes competing in these events.
5. What is the best advice you can give to young distance runners? Enjoy the process, focus on the not-so-little "little" things (i.e., positive nutrition, hydration, stretching, strengthening, drills, icing, etc.), and have fun.
Pop Culture
1. Read the book or watch the movie? Why? Read the book. I'm an avid reader and reading as an active process is so much more engaging to me than the passive interaction of a movie. Movies are great too, though!
2. Which form of social media do you prefer the most? Why? It's a bit of a stretch to call it a form of social media, but my vote has to go to hand-written mail/letter. There's always something so exciting about receiving an envelope in the mail with your name on it!
3. What song can you not help to sing along to? Currently, it's Forever by Kari Jobe
Miscellaneous
1. When not at practice, what can someone find you doing? In the kitchen cooking/baking, reading, drinking coffee, playing frisbee, spending time with family and friends
2. What did you do this past summer? I had the awesome opportunity to spend it in Boerne, Texas, with my parents and younger siblings. Boerne is where my family lived for the past 10 years before moving back to Memphis (my birthplace). After summer classes and internships the previous summers, it was wonderful just relaxing with friends and family
3. Do you have an interesting nickname? Any story behind the nickname? I don't have any interesting nicknames with cool back stories, but family/friends occasionally call me "Abby" or "Ab."
4. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Spend some, invest/save some, and pay it forward by giving the rest to a deserving organization.
5. Do you have a hidden talent? If so, explain. I played club ultimate for a year at the University of Alabama (Ramma Jamma Ultimate for life!)
6. If you were a superhero, what super power would you have? I'd like the super power of flight or reading thoughts.
7. If you could compete in another sport, which sport would it be? Why? I'd choose soccer or ultimate since both are team sports that emphasize competition and respect for others.
Quick-Hitters
1. Favorite video game as a child … I was the book nerd over in the corner while the other kids played video games.
2. My favorite meal my mom/grandmother cooks for me is … I love going over to my grandparents' and eating a meal with them; they have a backyard garden with all sorts of produce, so I'm always in for a treat!
3. Headphones or earbuds … Headphones. Earbuds never seem to stay in!
4. Other sports played as a child were … I took tennis and swimming lessons when I was younger.
5. The person(s) you most-like to follow on Twitter … My family and teammates
6. Nobody can believe I watch this TV show … I'm not much a TV watcher.
7. Favorite reality show is … See previous question
8. A reality show that I could win is … The national spelling bee or some other academia-themed show
9. Favorite website …  Memphis Tigers Athletics (http://gotigersgo.com/), of course!
10. Favorite TV show as a child … I was usually outside playing or inside reading a book.
11. Most famous person I've ever met … Jim Ryun, the first high school boy to break four minutes in the full mile
Sport-Related
1. How did you get into distance running? Growing up in the middle of four boys, I was always trying to prove I could keep up in every sport. When I was in sixth grade, my two older brothers joined and ran for a local homeschool track team. I began running that spring and ran my first cross country season the following fall. I've been competing ever since. Distance running was the first organized competitive sport I did; I love being able to channel my competitiveness and drive to succeed. Distance running has also brought me into contact with some of the most incredible people, experiences and memories. I've had the opportunity to travel places and learn things that otherwise wouldn't have been possible.
2. What has been your most embarrassing moment in a meet/event? I've always competed in distance events, but for whatever reason, my coach in junior high felt I had potential as a triple jumper. To do him justice, I did have a short-lived reign as the school's triple jump record-holder. Unfortunately, my coordination skills curtailed my triple jump career to less than a season of competition. During a run-through at practice, I tripped on my shoelace, skidded down the runway and face-planted in the sand. Naturally, most of the team was standing nearby and saw the whole thing. The physical and emotional scars from that day are still present on my knees and in memory.
3. How many times have people told you distance running is outrageous? How do you respond to them? For the most part, I actually haven't received negative reactions from others when they learn about my distance running. The most common question is whether I've ever ran a marathon (answer is no). For people with this viewpoint, I'd direct them to the vast (and growing) body of research showing the positive (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritually) benefits distance running can bring.
4. If you weren't a distance runner, what track and field event would you like to compete in? Javelin, pole vault or hurdles. I have so much respect for the athleticism and grace shown by athletes competing in these events.
5. What is the best advice you can give to young distance runners? Enjoy the process, focus on the not-so-little "little" things (i.e., positive nutrition, hydration, stretching, strengthening, drills, icing, etc.), and have fun.
Pop Culture
1. Read the book or watch the movie? Why? Read the book. I'm an avid reader and reading as an active process is so much more engaging to me than the passive interaction of a movie. Movies are great too, though!
2. Which form of social media do you prefer the most? Why? It's a bit of a stretch to call it a form of social media, but my vote has to go to hand-written mail/letter. There's always something so exciting about receiving an envelope in the mail with your name on it!
3. What song can you not help to sing along to? Currently, it's Forever by Kari Jobe
Miscellaneous
1. When not at practice, what can someone find you doing? In the kitchen cooking/baking, reading, drinking coffee, playing frisbee, spending time with family and friends
2. What did you do this past summer? I had the awesome opportunity to spend it in Boerne, Texas, with my parents and younger siblings. Boerne is where my family lived for the past 10 years before moving back to Memphis (my birthplace). After summer classes and internships the previous summers, it was wonderful just relaxing with friends and family
3. Do you have an interesting nickname? Any story behind the nickname? I don't have any interesting nicknames with cool back stories, but family/friends occasionally call me "Abby" or "Ab."
4. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Spend some, invest/save some, and pay it forward by giving the rest to a deserving organization.
5. Do you have a hidden talent? If so, explain. I played club ultimate for a year at the University of Alabama (Ramma Jamma Ultimate for life!)
6. If you were a superhero, what super power would you have? I'd like the super power of flight or reading thoughts.
7. If you could compete in another sport, which sport would it be? Why? I'd choose soccer or ultimate since both are team sports that emphasize competition and respect for others.
Quick-Hitters
1. Favorite video game as a child … I was the book nerd over in the corner while the other kids played video games.
2. My favorite meal my mom/grandmother cooks for me is … I love going over to my grandparents' and eating a meal with them; they have a backyard garden with all sorts of produce, so I'm always in for a treat!
3. Headphones or earbuds … Headphones. Earbuds never seem to stay in!
4. Other sports played as a child were … I took tennis and swimming lessons when I was younger.
5. The person(s) you most-like to follow on Twitter … My family and teammates
6. Nobody can believe I watch this TV show … I'm not much a TV watcher.
7. Favorite reality show is … See previous question
8. A reality show that I could win is … The national spelling bee or some other academia-themed show
9. Favorite website …  Memphis Tigers Athletics (http://gotigersgo.com/), of course!
10. Favorite TV show as a child … I was usually outside playing or inside reading a book.
11. Most famous person I've ever met … Jim Ryun, the first high school boy to break four minutes in the full mile
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/ Women's Cross Country
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