A year ago Mikayla Reed ran to victory in the Varsity Girls White race at Forest Park in only her second high school race. After an incredible freshman year she found herself on the line in the green race this year where she made the most of competing against the top talent in the state turning in a PR and a 4th place finish. Reed rocketed up the rankings all the way to fourth in the state. We talked with the super sophomore about her running roots and her performance at Forest Park.
MoMileSplit: How did you start running?
Mikayla Reed: I thought it might be fun to join track so I decided to try it out. At first the coaches had me pole vaulting. I enjoyed it, but after experiencing long distance running in 8th grade I knew that distance was what I wanted to do.
MoMileSplit: What was an early running moment for you that you realized that you could be good at the sport?
Reed: My first meet was on a cold, windy day where I ran a 1600. I didn't do so good. I came in 12th out of about 20. I was even told, "go back to pole vaulting." but one of the coaches told me to stick with it, that she knew I could do better. In my second race I ran the 1600 again and I came in second place. From that race on, I kept improving my time and haven't looked back since.
MoMileSplit: You finished fourth at Forest Park this past weekend. What was your initial thought after the race? How do you think your race went?
Reed: After the Forest Park Cross Country 5k I was really proud and excited because all of my hard work had paid off, but I know I still have a long way to go.
MoMileSplit: What did you think you were capable of going into the race? Did you think 4 th place in 18:11 was a possibility?
Reed: I thought I was capable of finishing in the top 5. I also thought it was possible to finish in the low eighteens because I did so in a few races over the summer.
MoMileSplit: Last year you won your race at Forest Park but were in the big race this year. Compare the two races -- which did you like more?
Reed: I really enjoyed winning first place and earning second place as a team last year but I liked this race better, because the competition was so intense and forced me to push myself to the limit.
MoMileSplit: You had a great year as a freshman finishing fifth in the 3200m and 20 th in the fall. What did you learn during your first year in high school?
Reed: I learned to trust my teammates and especially my coaches because without their guidance and encouragement I would be nowhere near the level I'm at right now.
MoMileSplit: What was your favorite memory during that time?
Reed: My favorite memory of that time was standing on the podium, knowing that all of my hard work had paid off by winning a medal at state.
MoMileSplit: Being in sectional one, you've raced some of the best girls in the state and in the nation over and over again. What was it like to compete in such a stacked district and sectional?
Reed: It was very stressful, but once I made it through districts I felt better knowing that I had gotten past a very difficult race and was moving on.
Claire Ayers
MoMileSplit: Washington has a nice addition in Claire Ayers, one of the best
freshman so far in the state. How has it been to have her join the team?
Reed: It's enjoyable having both Clayton Duchatschek and Clair Ayers on the team. They are very competitive and I know they will go far this year. I also have a little sister Mia, who just won the Middle School race at Forest Park. She's determined to beat me one day, but I don't think I'm going to let her.
It's also great having so many other runners on the cross country team. We all work well together and push each other to do our best. Over the summer a group of us got together to run so we could get ourselves in the best possible shape for the upcoming season. Doing this helped us form a strong bond with each other which we hope will help carry us through to a successful season.
MoMileSplit: Now that you have a big race under your belt, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
Reed: My biggest goal right now is to get a sub 18 minute 5k. I not only want to do this for myself, I really want to do this for my parents as well as my coaches because I don't think they'll ever fully realize just how much I appreciate everything they have done for me.
Hopefully you will see me and my teammates on the podium in November.
MoMileSplit: Thanks, and best of luck the rest of the year!
Reed and the rest of the Jays are slated to compete at Festus this weekend.
