What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was the 3200 at the Wildcat Track Classic. I ran behind Tommy Mulroy for the first two laps then took the lead. I ended up winning by 28 seconds and PR’d by 27. Most of my team was surrounding the track encouraging me in the mostly solo effort. Afterwards, Liberty’s hurdle coach told me that she “hates distance races, but you make them exciting."
Where did you face your biggest competition? or What was your favorite meet and why?
I finished 9th in the two mile at the Southern Track Classic. Just stepping to the line against other great runners like Footlocker Finalist Mac Haight, along with multiple state champions who own way more credentials than me was challenging to say the least.
If you could, what would you do differently with your high school running career?
I wish I could have taken running more seriously. I didn’t really start making a hard effort to improve until two weeks before cross country this year.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
My best accomplishment was finishing 2nd in the 3200 in 4A.Although I fell apart my last 100 meters, it was fun to see all of the hard work pay off in almost capturing a state title.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I basically lost two years of running. In 4th grade, I was advanced in certain areas academically, so the higher powers decided to skip me a grade. Also, I was forced to forfeit my entire sophomore year to the VHSL transfer rule after moving from Rappahannock County to Liberty for academic reasons.
What was your most difficult workout?
We had a workout that was 4 by 2x200 and a 400. I ran all but one of the 200s in 29 and ran the 400s in 59, 60, 61 and 58. It was also really hot that day.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my coaches and my teammates the most. My coaches were always uplifting and challenging. I will also miss Coach White’s obnoxiously loud “C’mon” that would keep us going in any race.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
They have taught me that the sky is the limit. If you put in the work, you can almost accomplish everything. I have integrated that into my academics and my training. In life, I will shoot as high as can because I know that if you aim low you won’t accomplish the top marks.
What are your plans for college?
I will be running XC and track at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I plan to major in mathematics and economics.
What is your advice for an incoming freshman running/competing in the same events as you did?
Distance running is at least 90% the work you put into it. If you want to be the best, you have to be willing to go beyond what your coaches are requiring you to do. If that means running twenty more miles a week more than everyone else or doing extra strength workouts at night, you need to do it to fulfill your potential.
Shout Outs?
I want to give a shout-out to all of my teammates who kept me focused on my goals as I did the same for them. Whether it was during a workout or at a meet, they were always there for me, or added fuel to the fire in other ways.