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!
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Name: Marissa Dick
School: Raymore-Peculiar High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: My coach sends out my workouts everyday. I run on my own and we will probably start doing time trials on Fridays.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I hang out with my family a lot and watch tv. I'm also working a lot on our school yearbook.
School: Raymore-Peculiar High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: My coach sends out my workouts everyday. I run on my own and we will probably start doing time trials on Fridays.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I hang out with my family a lot and watch tv. I'm also working a lot on our school yearbook.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race was sophomore year at xc conference. We were all super upset because we thought we ran bad and me and my teammate Gracyn Kloth laid down in the tent and cried. Then the other girls ran over to us and jumped around because that is when we won conference. Then Gracyn and I started crying harder and someone stepped on my foot with their spikes. That day was a roller coaster of emotions, but it gave us confidence that season. That was one of my favorite seasons because we ended in 2nd place as a team at state.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: We run down this road called Kendall what feels like every day. My sophomore year of track we were running down that road a couple days before state. We stopped for a little bit on the way back (don't tell my coaches) and picked up these weeds that looked really cool. We called them Trippy Plants and we were convinced that they were good luck. We brought them back to show our coaches and they didn't think they were as cool as we did but that's okay.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: All the Lee's Summit West girls have been my biggest competition over the years. During cross we don't usually race against each other until the championship races, but that's what makes those races more fun. We push each other during races and I have gotten better because of their competitiveness.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment was getting fourth place at the state cross country meet this year. After my running buddies graduated last year I knew that it was going to be hard to keep up my pace without them pushing me. This season taught me so much about myself and how mentally and physically strong I really am. I made a goal at the beginning of my senior season that I just "wanted to make it hurt" and I can for sure say that I did. My greatest accomplishment is leaving it all out there.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: I wouldn't change much. I've had the best coaches and teammates. They all have made me into the person I am today. I would probably change corona from happening because I really wanted to have my senior track season with my best friends.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was running senior year of cross country on my own. I ran with Coach Shields most days and that made it better. Just going from always following really fast girls to being number one on the team was a really big transition.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I'm going to miss my teammates and my coaches. I won't miss my teammates as much as my coaches though because I'm going to college with half of the seniors. I will miss my younger teammates that I have bonded with these past couple years. It makes me really sad to leave my coaches. They all are amazing in their own special ways. Coach Shields is not only my running buddy, but he also is the brains behind the team that makes us all speedy. Coach Swift is who I go to when I need inspirational talks about anything and everything. He has helped me get through the tough mental times of running. Coach Johnson has given me so many opportunities in my running career and I can't thank him enough for how much I have grown. Coach Dudek (Eve) is my mom on the team and is always there to cheer me on. My coaches have made a huge impact on my life. I couldn't thank them enough. Oh I also have to give Coach Shields and Coach Swift chocolate chip cookies before I graduate.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: Put blood, sweat, and tears into this sport because you won't regret it. This sport will teach you so many life lessons and also keep you in really good shape. Don't forget to make silly memories with your friends and be grateful that you have the ability to run. Most importantly, leave it all out there and don't regret anything.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I will be attending Pittsburg State University next year to run cross county and track.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I want to say thank you to my parents, Mom, Dad, Ashleigh, and Shawn for supporting me through everything. I want to thank all my 11 siblings (I won't name all of them) for watching me race when you could, but most importantly I want to thank my older sister Miranda for pushing me to do my best. She was really nice when I out kicked her at state last year, but I felt bad and cried. I also want to thank my best friends and everyone at school. You all are so supportive and I couldn't thank you enough for the encouragement.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: Thank you MOmilesplit for always being amazing and putting so much effort into all us athletes. Also thank you for posting my teammate's XC promposal on your insta and interviewing me at the state cross country meet! :)