What was your most memorable meet or race?
My most memorable meet was my senior state meet this year. However, my most memorable race was my junior year at state in the 4x800 when we came from way behind and won the race.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
I'd have to say either winning the mile at state my junior year against the great Kaitlyn Fischer, or winning the mile at state my senior year and breaking the state record.
If you could do it all over again is there anything you would change?
I think the only thing I would change is my focus sophomore year. I didn't work as hard as I should've and had a hard time competing at the level I should've been at.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I'd have to say the most difficult obstacle was balancing my schedule. Between family priorities, running, homework, sleep, and trying to maintain a social life, it was a pretty big schedule to juggle.
What will you miss the most?
I will definitely miss my team the most. My team is one big family who would do absolutely anything for each other and would do anything necessary to do their part in a race.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Running is a mental sport. A lot of people don't take that as seriously as they should. I didn't for a long time, but that is the biggest lesson I learned. Whether you kick or not is a decision. Whether you push yourself past your comfort zone or whether you decide you're too tired, it's a decision. I have won multiple races just because I made the decision to ignore the pain, ignore the negativity, and push past what I think I'm physically capable of. And every time that I do, I am beyond surprised at how it really is just a mental barrier. So keep a clear mind and stay positive when you run, otherwise you will trick your body into believing you are not capable of something that you can do.
What are your college plans?
I plan to go to Southwest Baptist University and major in English and run track and cross country for them as well.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank God, first of all, for blessing me with the talent and ability to accomplish the things I have done in these past four years. I'd like to thank my parents and family for supporting me and for coming to cheer at races. I'd also like to thank my coaches, who made this possible for me, for taking the time to train me the way that would benefit me the best, and for supporting me as well, and I'd like to thank my team. If it wasn't for my team, I would not be where I am today. So thank you for always having my back and being proud for me when I was happy and being encouraging when I was down.
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;">Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Email PEverett@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the seniors on all their hard work and success.</em><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></p> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> </p>
