Editor’s note: Arizona softball outfielder Brittany Lastrapes was named the Pacific 10 Conference Player of the Week after she accumulated 10 RBIs during a three-game sweep of the Bay Area schools. The sophomore took time to speak with the Arizona Daily Wildcat’s Kevin Zimmerman about the honor, her views on syrup and why rapper T.I. is in jail.

Wildcat: You’re player of the week for the Pac-10. Does that mean anything to you?

Lastrapes: It’s really, really exciting. I guess I never thought that I would ever actually get it, because I’m a little outfielder, you know? It’s usually the pitchers and the big stars. I don’t know, it’s kind of weird when I heard about it.

What is it that coach (Mike Candrea) does that makes him such a great motivator to you?

I think he just has so much experience and he knows what he’s doing, and he trusts himself so that makes us trust him in his decisions. I just listen to him because I know he’s had so much experience and he’s done so much.

Do you guys ever talk trash to opponents when you are playing them?

No, not to them. We’ll joke around and say, “”We’re prettier than them. We can’t let them beat us.”” Stuff like that.

What do you do when you want to get away from softball? Where do you go?

I love sleeping, so I just go in my room. There’s nothing like my bed. I love it.

You want to be a lawyer, why is that?

My mom always told me since I was little that I was really, really good at arguing and I always win every argument that I’m in, so I just feel like I could beat anyone. I’m a better arguer.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Arizona compared to California where you’re from?

The weather like this, you don’t really have many days like this in California. And I miss the water. There’s no water here, no beach, no river, nothing. I miss that for sure.

Who is your favorite athlete, ever?

I’m going to go ahead and say Reggie Bush. I was a huge fan of his when he was at USC. I just felt like he was extremely confident and unique in his style.

Do you still follow him?

I do a little bit but I’m still a big USC fan.

Do you have any interesting hobbies or interests?

I eat syrup with every meal.

Everything? Do you put it on food or on the side?

On the side. I dip like all my meat in there. My meat just doesn’t go down smooth unless I have it. All my meat, Barbeque, basically everything.

What kind of syrup?

Just maple syrup.

What brand though?

Anything with sugar. My grandma got me sugar-free once and it was disgusting.

What are your favorite classes you’ve taken so far?

My political science classes. I love politics for some reason, I really don’t know why. I took a class, it was really exciting taking it last semester because the election was going on and I’m a huge Obama fan.

Sam (Banister) was going off last week about how she likes the movie “”Twilight”” a lot. Do you like “”Twilight”” a lot?

I’m actually not a fan. I mean, I don’t really read that many books. My little sister reads them all and she’s really into it, and she tells me what’s going on but I saw the movie.

What’s on your iPod?

I’m a big T.I. fan. Well, he’s in jail right now, but I’m still a fan.

Wait, what’s he in jail for?

Um, he was buying guns …
silencers.

Really? I didn’t know that.

Come on! You didn’t know?