Q: When did you realize that you wanted to take Cross Country seriously?
A: When I realized that running [had become] more than just the way not to be lazy. I started to become my therapeutic outlet and helped me with a lot of mental issues that I was dealing with at the time, and I realized the relationships that I was able to build through running.
Q: What’s the proudest or most memorable race you’ve ever run?
A: Probably the race I ran that Saturday when I got first because not only did I break 21 at that meet, which was a goal that I [had been] chasing for two or three years. It was also when I realized that my coaches believed in me, my teammates believed in me, and I realized that I could accomplish so much more with running.
Q: Who has been your biggest motivator, whether a coach, teammate, or family member, throughout your athletic career?
A: My best friends, Delaney and Yaz. I met them through running. Delaney just graduated, but Yaz is still on the team, and they inspire me every single day. It makes me so proud to see the kind of runners that they’ve become. And I strive to be like them.
Q: Cross Country can be both physically and mentally tough. What’s the hardest moment you’ve been faced with in a race, and how did you push through it?
A: Probably when I had a race at Plainfield North this past Tuesday, and that was the race that I broke 20 in. However, the challenging part was that my coach, O’Connell, wanted me to stay with two Plainfield North girls the entire time, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay with them towards the end of the race. I could tell that I was really tired, and it was hard for me to hang on, but I pushed through all the thoughts I had, and I just stayed with them, and that led me to breaking 20.
Q: Now that you’ve made school history, what are your goals for the rest of the season and why?
A: Honestly, continue running. I’m excited to see the growth that I’m going to continue to make this season, and I’m excited to see the growth that my teammates are going to continue to make this season. And just keep my head down, keep pushing, running, and make the people around me proud.
