1. If you could go back to the start of your high school cross-country career and start it all over again, what would be one thing that you would change?
If I could change anything, I would have liked the opportunity to compete at GNC, Sectionals and State my freshmen year. I was told I was Close Contact for COVID the day of the conference race which took me out for the rest of the Championship season.
I would have really benefited from the opportunity and experience from those races. I would have loved to have the chance to compete.
2. Given your recent 17:06.60 performance at the Great Northern Conference Meet, which shattered your previous personal best of 17:43.90 from earlier this season, how did it feel when you realized that you had run that time?
When I PR'd I felt amazing! I didn't expect to run that time.
Although, once I hit the two-mile mark and noticed I PR'd my 2-mile track time, I knew I could do it. The race felt effortless.
At the end it felt really rewarding from all the rehab I had done over the summer for my fracture from track season.
3. Outside of bringing home a state championship title, any particular goals for this weekend?
My goal is to feel very accomplished at the end of the race.
I also just want to be happy and proud at my last meet in a Pines uniform.
4. Any plans and/or goals for post-season competitions?
I am planning on racing NXR, after that we will assess how I feel. Sometimes continuing into late November and December can be a long season for me.
If anything, I will probably do Footlocker.
5. Who has had the most impact on you as both an athlete, and as a person through your high school cross-country career?
My parents have made the most impact on me through my career. They are always supporting all my endeavors. My parents are always cheering for me and supporting everything I pursue. My parents never miss a race.
They are the best! They always give me the best pep-talks and always know what to say before my races. Always there to give me my post-race hug :)
6. What will you miss the most about high school cross country?
7. It's still pretty early, but what are you looking forward to the most for this upcoming track season?I will miss my team the most! They are always supporting me and my goals. When I went to receive my award for sectionals they all stood up, started clapping and cheering. I won't ever forget that.
8. Saw that you had an Instagram page that is based around healthy foods and personal recipes. What inspired you to start that and/or do you have any particular goals for it in the future?For this upcoming track season: I am looking forward to not being injured and to run pain free for the first season in a while.
I love my food account! My favorite thing to do is to bake and cook. I love coming up with fun recipes and snacks to share!
I was inspired because this is my passion and I wanted to share it with others. I have always wanted to promote fueling for athletes! It is so important, and I thought it should be recognized. I have always been inspired to promote positive mental health and wellness on my page.
I love cooking and find it really can bring people together. I hope that my page reaches the right audience and can make a positive impact. I also hope people enjoy my recipes!
In the future, I hope to one day create a cookbook to share some of my all-time favorite recipes!
9. Currently, what is the search looking like for you right now in terms of finding a new home in the NCAA for the next four years? Any schools that have your interest?
I do plan on competing at the D1 level for the next four years of my running career. I have finally narrowed down my search to three schools. They are, UW-Madison, Boston University and Northwestern University.
