Despite entering the competition with a splash, Kirsten chose to say good-bye to Keenan RA, Eli Langson, in the first episode of the Irish Bachelorette. The setback didn’t necessarily take him by surprise, but Eli had hoped his first impression was a good one. In any case, this senior has big plans for the ladies of Notre Dame, even if those plans don’t include a Ring by Spring anymore. Â
Year: 2014
Dorm Allegiance: Keenan Â
Major? Anthropology
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
What are you involved with on campus? Mostly Keenan stuff, I’m an assistant producer of Keenan Revue this year, I’m an RA. I do a lot of co-rec sports like broomball and soccer. I coach Farley’s basketball team.Â
Relationship status: Single (and ready to mingle)
What does it mean to be a domer? That’s a tough question; as boring an answer as it is, to be a part of the Notre Dame community.
What is your best/favorite ND memory so far? Day one of Frosh-O freshman year when we all painted up, put on kilts, and ran around campus. It really set the tone for what was in store [in Keenan Hall].Â
What is the #1 item on your ND bucket list? To go through the steam tunnels
What are the best and worst things about ND? The best thing is dorm life. It’s awesome, no complaints. The worst is the support for men’s basketball. Being from North Carolina, college basketball is life. There’s not as much awareness here as I would like.
What’s the best class you’ve taken at ND? “Acting for the Non-Major” freshman year, it was unbelievable.
What’s your favorite spot on campus? The Crucifix in the Woods across St. Joe’s Lake. It’s very off the beaten path – I didn’t even realize it was there until junior year. But it’s a great spot for prayer and refelction.Â
What did you think you were going to do when you came in as a freshman? I didn’t really know what major I would do, definitely something Arts and Letters – I wasn’t going to fool myself with science or engineering. I knew I was gonna be involved with the dorm. Really everything I’ve been involved with, I planned for. I came in with a game plan and stuck with it for better or for worse. I also came in with the idea of Ring by Spring, but I’ve re-evaluated that.
Favorite Domer – dead, alive, or fictional? Steve Bartman – I don’t like the Cubs and he’s a Keenan guy
What do you wish ND girls knew? My phone number and room number What do you wish you knew about ND girls? How to meet them
If you could go back to freshman year and tell yourself one thing you know now, what would it be? I would say that dropping classes isn’t a big deal – I freaked out the first time I had drop a class, but it really isn’t a big deal.
Ideal academic and professional endgame? To be employed.
In 25 years you will be… married.
Guilty pleasure? I used to love the TV show “Parental Control,” even though it’s not on MTV anymore.
Signature drink? Sweet tea. Easy
Why did you initially audition for the Irish Bachelorette? It’s a long story… Well, I watched the Bachelorette for the first time this summer because I was doing an SSLP with three girls. One of my friends saw the ad [for auditions] and posted it on my door so I thought, “Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up dating the girl.”
What was your reaction to meeting Kirsten for the first time? She didn’t laugh at much as she should have at my entrance (he wore tear-away pants and a track jacket which he ripped off when he walked down the stairs) but she seemed like a really cool girl.
Did you know any of the other guys? I did, James [Heisler] and Sean  [Gleason] are both Keenan guys. I think I had already met Mike [Blume] before the show, too.
How did you feel about the dynamic of the group? I loved the guys. It was an awesome group of dudes. We hung out for like two hours before they were ready for us at first, and just bro-ed out.
Did you feel like you had the opportunity to make an impression on Kirsten? Absolutely, we all did. I certainly felt like I did, one way or the other.Â
How did you feel about getting cut from the show? Was it a shock or did you expect it?  I knew it was coming. I still think I deserved the first impression hat and when I didn’t get that one I knew it was going downhill.
Who were you rooting for to win once you left the show? Either James or Sean. Keenan bros stick together.
If given another shot, what would you do differently? I would try to not be as awkward around her. When we got to talk one on one it was a train wreck, I was pretty nervous with the cameras rolling and everything.Â
What do you wish you knew going into the show? That we were gonna have two hours with just the guys hanging out. It really destroyed the seriousness I carried into the show.
What do you anticipate for your love life going forward? I’m alright with no Ring by Spring – but I anticipate my newfound fame leading to all kinds of relationship opportunities.Â
Was the experience worth it? Absolutely. It was a lot of fun. A lot of guys got a kick out of it.