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What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Salute to Seniors series feature on Courtland distance runner Victoria Parent. Parent was one of the better distance runners from the Battlefield District in recent memory as she had a sensational close to her cross country season this past fall when she went from second place in the district and third place in the region to finishing 13th for Group AA All-State honors at Great Meadow. Without an official indoor season offered in her county, Parent made up for lost time and lack of winter races in the spring and focused in on the 800 which she clocked a new personal best of 2:23 at the Region I Championships to move onto the Group AA State Meet in Harrisonburg. Parent will not be going far from home for college as she will attend and run for the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
Interview with Courtland distance runner Victoria Parent
What was your most memorable race?
It was definitely the Region I XC race this year in 2012. After coming up short at Districts a week prior, placing after second with a 20:40--about a minute off the PR I had run a week before that-- I was determined to come back in the Region meet. It was most memorable for me because three years of racing that agonizing Loriella course, and never managing to make it in to the top 15 (my highest ranking prior to this year was 31st place in 2011) I ran a 19:54 getting me a 3rd place finish. It was one of the hardest races I had ever run, and definitely one of the most rewarding.
Who would you consider your greatest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition throughout the four years of high school track and XC would definitely be Miranda Green, from King George. Being in the same District gave us the opportunity to race against each other at tri-meets, invites, and of course in the championship season. Miranda always pushed me to be a better runner, kicking my butt countless times in the 800, and the 1600. Sticking with Miranda during races always carried me to faster times, and has taught me to never give up.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
I would say my greatest accomplishment was my performances during cross country my senior year. I’ve run track all four years, but only did three years of XC starting in my sophomore year. My biggest accomplishment would be placing 13th at the VHSL State Cross Country meet with a PR of 19:23. My time and place earned me the second highest ranking in my school’s history for women’s cross country and also the second fastest time. It was my first year racing at states for cross country, and the feeling of knowing I had earned it myself was indescribable. I also was really proud of myself for dropping 20 seconds off my PR in three weeks! I also finally individually qualified for States in the 800 this year, which had been a dream of mine since freshman year.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
If I could do it all over again, I wish I had gotten a chance to run longer distance events on the track; I’ve only run the 3200 once, and I wish I could have run it more. I also would have liked to run the 1600 at districts and regionals for once! My coaches kept me in the 800, which I love, but it would have been nice to get some more experience in other areas.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
For me, the most difficult obstacle was learning to keep a positive state of mind. It was until outdoor track during my junior year that I felt confident in my abilities, and become mentally stronger—my performances from that point on reflected how positivity and being in the right state of mind can really make a difference in how you compete.
What will you miss most?
Oh boy, this is a tear-jerker. I will miss my coaches and my teammates so much next year. The support system we all have for each other, and the excellence of the coaching staff I’ve been blessed to have cannot be matched. I have so many fantastic memories with the Courtland Cougars, from adventures at invitationals to just normal days at practice, I will miss everyone so much!
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Don’t be afraid to try something new! I almost didn’t go out for outdoor track my freshman year because I was so intimidated of the people on my team. But those people have become some of my best friends, and it was seriously the best decision I have ever made.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coaches have taught me so many things, but most importantly that “impossible is nothing.” Their constant belief in me, as well as in all of the other runners they coach, is a constant inspiration to me. Coach Crabtree and Johnson, my track coaches, never gave up on me even when I would give up on myself. My cross country coach, Coach Merisowsky actually ran for the school I am running for next year. The impact that they have had on my life has really made me want to be a coach in the future and to continue to be a runner.
What are your college plans?
Next year I will be attending the University of Mary Washington, running cross country and track.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I can’t say thank you enough to my family; my mom who always drove me to morning practices no matter how early, and who followed my team to wherever our meets would be at to support me, my sisters who tagged along with my mom to every meet I’ve ever run in high school with their cameras in hand to help capture the moments for me, and to my dad who no matter how busy his work schedule always made it to the most important meets. And to my coaches-- Coach Crabtree, Coach Johnson, and Coach Mersiowsky, who all helped me become not only a better runner, but a better person. Finally to my team, who has been the greatest group of people anyone could want to spend six days a week for almost an entire year with. I love you guys!
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Believe in the run. GO EAGLES!