Are you a senior??? Check this out
2013 Senior Send-Off: Time to Honor the Seniors!!!
Alisha Adair is a 2013 Western Hills graduate. She is a 8-time Class AA State Champion ranging from 100m - 400m. She led her team to the Class AA State Team Championship in 2012 winning three individuals events and anchoring the 4x400m Relay in a Class AA record breaking time. She will join the Wildcats at the University of Kentucky next year.
Personal Bests
100 Meter Dash 12.03
200 Meter Dash 24.84
400 Meter Dash 56.53
60 Meter Dash 7.71
What was your most memorable race/event?
My most memorable race was running the anchor leg of our 4x4 relay at the 2012 State meet. We had to win the last event of the entire meet, in order to win the team state championship title. We allowed our adrenaline to take over our talent and we ran faster than we ever had before. This resulted in breaking the 28 year old meet record and winning the team title!
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition over the past 4 years was myself. Every race I wanted to beat myself and make use of the hard work I put at every practice. As long as I beat myself, what more could I ask for or be asked of.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was being award the title of Miss. Kentucky Track & Field, it allowed me to represent Kentucky, my school, and my family and it was recognition from the track and field community of my efforts and accomplishments. This is something I have worked for since the beginning of my track career, and I’m proud to say I reached a major goal.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
There is nothing I would have changed about my running career. I am very proud of my improvements, state titles, and the adversity I had to overcome! Everything I did made me who I am today and everything was for a reason. Some people think, I regret only running a 4 month season, but I enjoyed the time off and participating in other sports, track is still fresh and exciting to me and I look forward to the 9 month seasons ahead.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacles I have had to overcome were the injuries I endured throughout my high school track career. Straining my Achilles tendon at regions my 8th grade year, hurting my knee my 9th and 10th grade year from playing soccer, pulling my hamstring my junior year in the middle of the season and fighting a respiratory infection my senior year at regions and state. I did not let these obstacles stop me from competing, I used it as a motivation to overcome adversity.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my Dad coaching me the most. He has been there as my coach since I started track in the 5th grade. He is the reason for my success, aside from my natural born talent I was blessed with. Though he will still remain as my biggest fan, as well as my mother, I will definitely miss him being my coach.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Aside from my many awards I have earned in the track world, one of my biggest awards is being told by younger athletes how much they admire me and how much I motivate them in wanting to run track. I feel privileged to be a role model for younger athletes, and the advice I would give younger athletes is to never give up, hard work pays off. Allow me to be an example, I wasn't given state titles or a state championship, I worked for that opportunity and I took it when the time came. Anyone can do it as long as they believe in themselves, put the work in and when the opportunity comes they are prepared to perform.
“Don't quit. Work hard now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” -Muhammad Ali
This Quote is why I never quit. There were hard practices, hard days where I didn't feel accomplished, even days where I felt like leaving practice. But I didn’t because of this quote. If you do what others are doing you will be average like them to. In order to stand out you have to work harder than everyone else, you have to commit more than every one else, you have to put work in after and before practice. The feeling of reaching your goal, and accomplishments is all worth it. To hear about it is okay, but to live it is indescribable. Sometimes you just have to say, I Can Do It.
What influence has your coaches had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Aside from the praise my coaches gave me, they always made sure they gave me constructive criticism to improve me as an athlete. There was a balance between having fun, and prioritizing my academic achievements and training. My Coaches provided a healthy environment for me as an athlete. I thank them for that. They have always believed in me and that has only inspired me to believe in myself. I plan to continue my track career in College, without my coaches, especially my Dad, I wouldn't have been able to make it this far.
What are your plans for college or joining the workforce next year?
I have chosen to earn a degree in business and run track at The University of Kentucky. I am very proud and excited with this decision, it allows me to remain close to home, watch my younger siblings grow up, and continue the family tradition of running at UK like my dad. I simply bleed blue. #BBN
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I want to say thank you to my family and friends and teammates for being my biggest supporters. I would like to thank my mom for recognizing my talent when I was in 5th grade and encouraging me to participate in track and field. Without her, I probably would have continued my focus on soccer. I would like to thank my dad for coaching me and for developing me as an athlete. Without him I’m not sure where I would be in my track career today. I would like to think my teachers for keeping me grounded in the classroom, they made sure I graduated with a 4.11 GPA which is just as exciting as winning a state race. I thank God for blessing me to be a student-athlete .
“Do today what others won’t, so tomorrow you can do what others can’t.” -unknown
This is a quote I have followed throughout my track career, I want to share this quote, and I am humble that anyone has taken the time to read what I had to say!
