Athlete Name: Avery Evans
School: Eastern High School
What was your most memorable meet and why?:
The Region 4 AAA meet of 2015 because the was the first time in a race Eastern placed 7 under 17 minutes.
Where did you face your biggest competition?:
Trinity Valkyrie meet. Not only did I race against the top runners and teams in the state, but also in the states surrounding us.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?:
Finishing 3rd in the state as a team this 2016 season. This was special because it was my goal to be on the podium for the past 4 years and we finally accomplished that my senior season. Also we tied a school record with our 3rd place team finish.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?:
I would have cared more freshman year. I went to all the practices and did all the runs, but I was mostly going through the motions. I didn't take normal runs seriously.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?:
Dealing with nerve injury in my hips. It kept me out of state and indoor track sophomore year and I missed the first 2 meets of my junior year. This cross country season was my first fully healthy season since freshman year.
What will you miss the most?:
Seeing everyone's bright and shiny faces at 8 in the morning over the summer.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?:
Running is all mental. Don't tell yourself it is too hard and it hurts and you need to stop. It is suppose to hurt and how you manage that pain will determine the type of runner you will be.
What are your post-highschool or college plans?:
I plan to go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for college and study in Astronautical Engineering. I'm also currently working on trying to run there also.
Who would you like to say thank you to?:
My mom for getting me into the sport in 7th grade just to get faster for every other sport I played at the time. My dad for always finding his way into parts of the course where I don't think you're allowed to be in to encourage me during my race. My teammates for picking me up during the months I was injured and my coach for helping me discover that this was the sport I love and wanted to stick with the rest of my life.
