What was your most memorable meet or race?
I have been blessed to have had many memorable meets and races, however the most memorable would have to be the State Cross Country Meet my junior year. I was dealing with a growth plate issue in my heel, so I had to take time off from running in the middle of the season. Going into the race, I did not really know my fitness level and my heel was still really hurting, but I really wanted to be all-state and improve on my place from the previous year (better than 21st place). The race started, and I pushed myself harder than any other race I ever have. I ended the race, almost passed out, and could not walk, but I placed 15th, and could not have been happier. Even though my finish at the state meet my senior year was much better (I placed 2nd) I will always remember this race because I realized how far you can push your body’s limits if you believe you can do it, really want it, and have people who are believing in you.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
In track, I would have to say that winning the 3200 my junior year and breaking 11 minutes for the first time is an accomplishment that meant a lot to me especially since the beginning of my junior track season was very rough. However, in terms of an entire season’s accomplishments, I would have to say that my senior cross country season stood out to me the most. Within the season, I was blessed to be able to break 18 minutes, qualify for state as a team for the first time in many years, place 2nd individually at state, and place 5th at Nike Regionals qualifying for Nike Nationals. The entire season was better than anything I could have hoped for.
If you could do it all over again, is there anything you would change?
Overall, I would not change any big thing because I believe that I have learned, grown, and become a better runner and person from all of the hardships I have fought through. However, if I did have to change one thing, I would not take any moment or race for granted, no matter how large or small. Sometimes I found myself wishing that State or another big meet was sooner instead of focusing on the moment at hand. I realized that time goes to fast to wish moments away, so that is what I would have changed.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I dealt with a growth plate issue and anemia my junior year which was difficult, but I believe the most difficult obstacle to overcome was my negative mentality before races. Before my senior year, I would get incredibly nervous before races to the point where I wouldn’t enjoy the race and not race as well as I could have. However, when senior year came along my cross country coach told me to run fearless. During my senior year, I began to gain confidence and really started enjoying my races and the sport so much more.
What will you miss the most?
High school running has been fantastic, and I will miss it a lot especially my awesome teammates and my incredibly supportive coaches, Coach Katie Helbig and Coach Monda. I will also miss my amazing parents and family cheering me on at every race, and putting things back in perspective when everything might not be going exactly as planned. I will also miss racing the girls in Missouri who have become my friends over the years and have pushed me to improve.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
One piece of advice I have for younger athletes is to fall in love with running. If you love it, you will be able to push yourself to improve, and it will be so much more rewarding. Also, don’t take any aspect of high school running for granted because time really does fly by.
What are your college plans?
Next year, I am going to be running cross country and track at Indiana University in Bloomington, and I am going to go into a profession in the health field.
Who would you like to thank?
I have been incredibly blessed to have so many people in my life who have helped me reach my goals in high school running. Therefore, I would first like to thank God for placing all of these people in my life. Next, I would like to thank my parents and my family, for coming to my races and always supporting me. I would also like to thank all of my cross country coaches who have helped me to both improve and fall in love with running. I would also like to thank my teammates who have become my best friends. Finally, I would like to thank all of my competitors who have pushed me and helped me become a better runner. They are both amazing runners and people, and I was privileged to race them over the years.
<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>