Junior Jalen Frantal is bringing his "A" game to the Pepperdine's men's cross country team this season. Last season he was Pepperdine's #3 runner at the WCC Championships (this year's event is coming up Saturday) and he's been among the team leaders again this year. His accomplishments extend to the classroom as in the 2017-18 academic year he received WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete status. We discussed his goals for the rest of this season, his personal successes and endeavors, and what makes Pepperdine's Cross Country team special:
 
Q: It is no secret that the Pepperdine's men's cross country team is doing amazing this season. What major factors play a role in the team's successes?
 
A: I think the biggest thing is how close we are. When I first started here three years ago we were a small team that was not doing as well as we wanted. But we began to build a community, started working even harder, and grew even closer. We practiced all summer, trusted the process and went through it all together. After that you could say things just exploded in a good way.
 
Q: What makes this team special?
 
A: Definitely the brotherhood. All teams are close obviously, but I don't have a single complaint about any person on the team. I love every single person. We pretty much spend our entire lives together, from practice to just playing volleyball and ping pong or even studying. We are like a family.
 
Q: How are you doing this school year?
 
A: I've been really busy this week, I had three midterms on Monday and Tuesday but managed to do well on them and have one more left this week. I've been a little overwhelmed this year because I am involved with so many things. So at times it can be hard to find the right balance but everything that is "overwhelming" are good things so I am not drained from them.
 
Q: The WCC Championships and NCAA West Regional are coming up. What are the team's goals for these big meets?
 
A: For the conference we are looking to beat Santa Clara and USF so that we can rank in third or fourth place. If we got first we would be ranked #1 nationally and right now we are looking to make small reasonable goals and slowly but steadily work our way up. For regionals we want to place eighth or ninth because last year we placed 18th. If we can do that, that'd be awesome.
 
Q: What do you want to accomplish personally the rest of this season?
 
A: I really just want to race as hard as I can, I don't necessarily have any time goals. I want to have a good time with my team and continue our accomplishments because everything we are doing now is better than the past. So I am just happy to continue working hard and enjoying the time together.
 
Q: What motivates you to be the scholar-athlete that you are?
 
A: Everything I'm involved in like the WLC (Waves Leadership Council), Student Wellness Advisory Board and Student Philanthropy Council are things that I'm interested in and things that make me happy. None of it feels like work or a chore because it's things that I love and am passionate about. It is fun and doesn't drain me.

Q: You are also a part of the executive board for Waves Leadership Council. What made you join? What does being a part of this council entail?
 
A: It's actually a funny story because I had two teammates who were on it and one day I saw them wearing these really cool jackets, so I asked them where they got them from and they said from the Waves Leadership Council. So then I was like, "Yes, I'm going to join." When the application time came around, I applied and got in, but they no longer had the jackets. I was disappointed but stuck with it anyways. It ended up being such an awesome group that helps build athletes into leaders, build the school community, and really just support one another. I love spending time with everyone who is involved.

Q: Last summer you attended a mission trip to Fiji. How did your trip go? What did you get out of that amazing opportunity?
 
A: It was so amazing. I went in with the mindset of being excited to serve and help with anything they needed me to do, but ended up leaving feeling like the people that I helped served me more. Every day we would split into groups and go to either the schools and teach, or help on the grounds or go to the clinic. I grew so close to the people I went with. They were fantastic. The Fijian people were also the nicest people you will ever meet. The island was beautiful and we got to travel around the surrounding islands. We saw volcanoes, waterfalls, a pearl farm and reefs. I highly recommend this trip to anyone interested.