What was your most memorable race/moment?
For the first time, in a long time our Lake Weir girls track and field team received runner- up at the district championship. We have a small and young girls team so for us to receive runner-up with mostly freshman and sophomores was a big achievement. We battled throughout the entire meet in the sprints and field events. Unfortunately we did not have enough distance runners to get more points, but it felt great to see the look on the other teams who were in shock of our small team of girls competing so well and this will be a moment they will cherish so when they are juniors and seniors they will want to achieve more.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Track and Field is an individual sport unless you're on a relay and even then the relay depends on each individual person working together to get the baton around the track so everyone’s biggest competition are themselves whether they know it or not. I had to work extremely hard mentally and physically so that I may return my senior year to qualify to go to state after my junior year of having surgery for a stress fracture in my right tibia and the atrophy that followed the surgery. For every sport the greatest challenge is your mentality. I did my best not to credit my injury for my failures because in the end it's me who can decide whether or not I go big or go home.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
After I recovered from my injury and achieved the accomplishments I did this year I would sometimes think "what if?" but "what if" wasn't going to get me back to the track and field state championships in my high school career. So if I could do it all over again I would more than likely change my eating habits to a more healthy balance when I was a freshman so the conditioning wouldn't be so hard trying to get back in shape.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Once I recovered, my biggest obstacle was strengthening my mentality in competing, having confidence that I could still compete at an intense level despite the adversities. Results from my performances furthered my confidence and also set an example for my teammates that anything was possible as long as you put your mind to it.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
If you are serious about running track and field on a higher level you need to start early in training. Don’t wait for the season to start to start conditioning. Join a sport that will get you conditioned like cross country or build your strength in weightlifting. The best athletes run year round, so join a summer club and keep excelling and dropping your times so that when you come back to high school it will be a piece of cake. It’s always good also to pay attention to your eating habits, track and field demands an athlete to be lean and in shape to compete at the best of your abilities, which means cut down on the junk food and drink a lot of water.
What is your plan for college?
I plan to attend Florida International University on a scholarship to compete in the women's heptathlon. Academically I will get my Bachelors in Sports Management and plan to pursue a Masters in Physical Therapy.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my parents/ coaches, additional coaches that have worked with me technically and on a higher level. My team at Lake Weir High School for the support. They're my family on the track and off the track. They made high school track and field fun and never were there any differences between any of us.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom" - General George S. Patton. Through hard work and ambition the brightest dreams come true and remember to always have fun chasing them.
More Coverage
Do you know a class of 2014 track and field or cross country athlete? We'd like to salute them! Have them answer the following questions plus send 2-3 photos (can not be from another website or publication) to Todd.Grasley@flocasts.com.