Vivian Hett, a sophomore, is looking to improve on her 11th-place finish at the girls' state Nordic ski meet a year ago. She also runs cross-country and track. Here is a closer look at Hett:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Funny; smart; talented.

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor; "Without You" by David Guetta; "We Found Love" by Rihanna.

How do you balance school and skiing during the year? It's tough, but I manage it. I go to school, go to practice, go home and do my homework. I hang out with my friends mostly on the weekends.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... shy and a bit scared, but still excited.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when ... I pass them and I can tell their breathing is off.

What is your favorite meal before a race? Pasta.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? Not leaving school early so much.

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... done with college and have a well-paying job I love.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? I received very encouraging advice before a state cross-country running race before and it told me that the other races have just helped me get to where I am, but this race is the one that counts. The advice came with brownies for after the race, so that helped me get done faster, which let me eat those brownies earlier.

RON HAGGSTROM