Today we continue our Salute to Seniors series with four talented athletes from around the state. If you are a senior and would like to take part, or know one who would, CLICK HERE for instructions on how to do so!
Name: Alexis Edgar
School: Francis Howell High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: I am currently still keeping up with what my normal track training would look like. I have been getting together with a few teammates to help motivate each other.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I have been doing some things to prepare for college as well I have been spending more time with my family.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race was during cross country sectionals. There was a good chance that this could have been my last high school xc race so I knew I would have to give it more than I thought I had. This race became very stressful the last 300m because I was in 25th place and had a whole pack of girls behind me and I can't sprint. I knew I had to finish this race sprinting like I never thought I could, so I did. I crossed the line and started crying because it was such a crazy experience and one that I will never forget
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: I have all kinds of crazy things I could share, but one that is more recent is about a run me and a few teammates had. We decided we wanted to have a little fun in the rain so we went out to a trail nearby that ended up being very muddy. Instead of slowing down to go around the huge puddles of mud, we ran straight through them. The best part was when we got back to the school and everyone thought we were crazy with mud all up and down our legs. We can never let our runs be too serious.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: I would say that my biggest competition has been myself. I mainly just focus on how I can improve myself and get through the bumps in my path, and I don't really focus on comparing myself to the people around me.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: I think one of my greatest accomplishments is being a 2x individual state qualifier. It took a lot of work but it is so amazing to see all of that work pay off.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: The only thing that I would possibly go back and change is my decision to run with a stress fracture for 2 months and not say anything about it. Although this wasn't smart, it added to the story of how I am where I am today.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was when I was out for the entire track season my junior year due to a stress fracture. This was really hard for me because I still continued to show up each day to practice to support my teammates, yet I was unable to be out there alongside them. I put in work on the bike each day to maintain my stamina, but I just feared each day that I would never be back to where I was before my injury. This injury broke me down mentally in the beginning however, it only made me stronger when I returned.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: The one thing I will miss most is my team. These are the people who have gotten me through each day over the past four years of my life. All of the laughs, the cries, and everything in between are the memories that will live forever. We became a family and there is nothing that can ever break that bond no matter how many miles are between us.
Q: What advice would you give younger athletes?
A: The most important piece of advice that I would give to younger athletes is to never let the obstacles in your path define who you are. These things might put a stop to what we thought our plan was, but there are always bigger and better paths to be taken
Q: What kind of impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: My coach has had such a huge positive impact on my team. He is always encouraging us and pushing us to be better both in and out of running.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I will be attending SIUe starting in the fall of 2020 to further both my academic and athletic careers. I will be running for the women's cross country and track team and will be majoring in nursing.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I want to say thank you to my parents, siblings, teammates, coaches, and competitors for always encouraging me and pushing me to new limits I once thought I could never reach.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: Although this might not be the way I was planning on ending my senior season, its not over yet and I encourage everyone to continue all of their hard work.