What was you most memorable meet or race?
Winning state this year in the 4x800 with a PR of 9:12.01. I ran the 2nd leg and pulled my team into first place and was able to get a PR in my split. We’ve been working towards that goal all year and we really stepped up in the workouts and training and it’s just a great feeling to realize that all of our hard work finally paid off.
Video of 4 X800 from 2013 State Meet
Who was your biggest competition?
My biggest competition would have to be myself. Being injured for almost 2 years and having to start from scratch and not being the runner I used to be was really hard for me. Sitting on the side lines and knowing you should be out there running is one of the hardest things for any runner. I just had to work hard with my physical therapy and cross training and be patient to know that my time would come.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Breaking a 5 minute 1600m this year at sectionals. It has always been a huge goal of mine ever since I started running and being able to do it was an incredible feeling. Also breaking 11 minutes in the 3200 and getting 2nd at state when I didn’t even qualify last year.
If you could do it all over again is there anything you would change?
I would have listened to my body more so I could have avoided getting injured as much as I did. But I also think being injured for so long taught me about what kind of training is best for me and not to take anything for granted.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Being injured for the majority of my high school career. Freshmen year cross country I struggled with my IT-band and knee injuries and had to sit out my whole track season. Then Sophomore year I got a stress fracture in my foot and had to sit out all of cross country, during track I had to start back slowly, running very minimally and had to sit out half of the season due to another hip injury. Junior year cross country was my first season back and I wasn’t running near the times I had before and struggled with a foot injury along the way and my season was cut short. But after taking some time off I trained really hard in the offseason and was finally able to make a comeback my Junior year of track injury free! Also something only few people know, my Senior year of Cross country right before conference and districts I got hit by a grandfather clock and was on crutches, my foot was ran over by a car, and I sprained my ankle going down a hill during mile repeats all within 2 weeks! You could say that I don’t have the best of luck.
What will you miss the most?
I will defiantly miss my team the most and becoming so close with them over the years. They are the reason why I enjoy going to practice every day. I will also miss getting to know all the runners from other teams and making a lot of new friends, even though they’re your competition you always want them to perform their best.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Never give up no matter what kinds of setbacks you are facing because I promise when you get through them and achieve your goals it will all be worth it.
What are your college plans?
Going to SEMO next year to run Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track, and studying to be a Personal Trainer.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank all of my supporters, coaches; teammates, friends, and family that always believed in me and helped me get to where I am today!