Athlete Name: Haley Holbrook
School: Beechwood High School
What was your most memorable meet and why?
Eastern Relays 2016: I had a 1 minute and 5 second PR in the 2 mile running an 11:41.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Indoor State 2016: I raced a senior who I raced regularly in cross country and could never beat in track. It came down to a final surge at the end and I won the 1600.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?
Winning my first cross country meet really stands out. I won my first cross country race in 2015 and it was extremely difficult because I took a wrong turn and ran 400 meters off the course. When I got back on the course I was in 17th place and on the final stretch of the race I finally got back up to the first position and won.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would have ran track my freshman year. I chose a job over running that spring.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Not being a naturally gifted runner, I have had to work harder than most other runners to make myself successful. When I was a freshman, I was 9th on my school's JV team running close to 30 minute 5Ks. Now as a senior, I have a 19:49 PR in the 5K in cross country and a 19:20 5K PR on the track.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my team more than anything. I have become very close with them over the years and will miss not having them to joke around with at practice next year.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Running is a sport where you determine whether you make yourself good at it or not. You can start out as the worst runner ever, but with hard work and dedication, you can be successful.
What are your post-highschool or college plans?
I am going on to run Division 1 cross country and track at Eastern Kentucky University. I plan on studying to become an orthodontist.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my two coaches Jeremy Fisher and Roger Schmitt. There is no way I would be where I am today without them. They have gone above and beyond to help me accomplish all the goals I set for myself.
