Rosemount senior Chandler Dye is looking to help the Irish improve on their third-place finish in the Class 2A boys' cross-country state meet a year ago. Here is a closer look at Dye:

The best movie I've seen in the past year? "Toy Story 3."

Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me? The phrase "Big Thigh Dye." Sometimes my teammates joke around about how big my thighs are.

Favorite meal before a game? Nature Valley Oats 'n Honey granola bars.

How did you get started in cross-country? I simply got bored playing soccer my freshman year and decided to try cross country since one of my sisters did it. And originally, I was going to play baseball in the spring, but since my cross-country season went so well that fall, I decided to go out for track instead.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... intimidated! I was always really quiet and kind of only spoke when I was spoken to. And the times I did talk I usually only said a couple words, then smiled.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Going to Greensboro, N.C., to compete at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals track meet.

What are your goals for 2011-12? Well, this fall for cross-country I think as a team we should be competing for the state title. Next spring for track, individually, I want to win the conference and sections 800-meter again. Then I also want to be in the hunt for the 800-meter state title.

What have you been working on in the offseason? Just developing a strong core and getting a really strong base of mileage for this coming cross-country season.

RON HAGGSTROM