We recently sat down with junior cross country runner Erik Van Ingen to get to know him a little better. Erik was the winner of the America East individual title at the cross country championships earlier this month.

Pipe Dream: Who is your favorite athlete?

Erik van Ingen: Michael Jordan; I have a life-size cutout of him.

PD: Who is your favorite Binghamton athlete to watch outside your sport?

Erik: Ryan Walter.

PD: What is your favorite food?

Erik: Any kind of Mexican or Italian food.

PD: Talk about one of your craziest moments.

Erik: I broke into my high school once with my brother to go skateboarding in the halls.

PD: What is your favorite sport (besides running)?

Erik: Skiing; I go to Greek Peak because it is 10 minutes away from where I grew up.

PD: Who is your favorite superhero?

Erik: Sonic the Hedgehog.

PD: What was the last book you read?

Erik: “A Hike in the Woods” by Bill Bryson.

PD: What is your favorite movie?

Erik: “City of God.”

PD: Who is your favorite celebrity/actor?

Erik: Will Ferrell.

PD: What is your favorite TV show?

Erik: “Family Guy.”

PD: What is something that not many people know about you?

Erik: In high school, I crocheted hats and sold them to students; that’s how I made my money.