Bardstown
What was your most memorable meet and why?
My most memorable meet would have to be the 2018 Class 2A state meet. This meet stands out to me because this was my final go with my team. Having tons of family drive down to support me, along with Coach screaming and smiling every turn made this meet impossible to forget.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Though the largest meets would usually have the fastest guys, I often faced the most competition in the smaller meets. During my senior year, I was projected to be in or near the front of a lot of races. This was challenging because I had to execute a solid performance night in and night out.
Out of all your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?
My biggest accomplishment was placing 10th in the Class 2A state meet. It has been a dream of mine to have a seat on the podium alongside the other talented runners in the state. Coming off a disappointingregion race, I was able to rally back to have an excellent final race.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
The first thing I would change is simply starting sooner. I took up running full time my junior year in high school and I whole-heartily believe It is one of the best decisions I've made. The second thing I would change is my tendency to look too far ahead. Often, I would blow off the small "less important" things and only think of performing when everyone is watching. I have learned that the small things are crucial to becoming successful and to cherish the process.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Some of the hardest things to overcome as a runner is experience and discipline. Since I started a lot later than others, I had to realize that I wasn't going to be near as competitive right away. This required me to learn how to work hard and make good decisions to better my running.
What will you miss the most?
I will certainly miss the people who have invested in me and made me who I am today. I was the lone upperclassman this year so our team was very young, however I will miss mentoring them each day and the bond we created amongst ourselves in the midst of the season.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
My advice is don't let a bad race or practice dictate a bad season. It's very easy to get down on yourself if you don't perform up to expectations. It's very important to remain focused, believe in your coach and trust in your abilities to get right back at it next time around.
What are your post-high school or college plans?
I plan to run at a four-year university and study biology in hopes to become a Physician.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
First, I would like to thank my parents for always supporting me throughout my high school career. I could always count on them to be there for me when days didn't go my way, and to celebrate when situations went my way. Secondly, I would like to thank my teammates over the years. Thank you to the older runner who showed me what working hard and having respect for others looked like. Thank you for helping me discover my competitive nature in all aspects. Also, thank you to the current runners. They have given me the opportunity to lead, and to learn. Though some of them looked up to me, I learned many things from them. I would also like to thank all my friends outside of the running world that would believe in me and support me even if they had no knowledge of running. Finally thank you to my coaches, Coach Hartlage and Coach Sarah. Thank you for bringing me out for cross country my freshman year, even though I only came to the meeting for my brother. Thank you for teaching me how to trust in myself and to work hard while leading others. My coaches have positively affected my life and I will continue to use the lessons they have taught me moving forward.
