1) How did you get your start in running? How old were you? What other sports have you participated in other than cross country and track and field? (Cover and Photo above both by Michael Whitman)
I started running my freshman year during track season when I was 14.
2) What was your experience during your freshman and sophomore seasons in high school? PRs?
My freshman year I only ran track. It was my first time running and the practices were hard but I enjoyed racing. The next fall I had a little more experience running and I was excited for my first season of cross country as a sophomore. I have improved my times each season as well as my overall fitness level.
My freshman PRs:
800: 2:42
1600: 5:49
3200: 12:37
Sophomore PRs:
800: 2:39
1600: 5:32
3200: 11:55
3-mile(xc): 20:27
3) When do you feel like you made your biggest jump in high school school? What led to that improvement in times and performances?
I made my biggest jump during my junior cross country season. This was the first time I had trained at a varsity level in the summer leading up to that fall, which made my "jump" possible.
4) What were some of your best races during your junior season in either cross country or track and field?
One of my best races was in cross country as a junior was at the Great Cow Invitational. It was my first varsity race and I ended up scoring as the fifth runner.
5) Heading into your senior cross country season, what were your goals and what did you do this past summer to help reach those goals?
Going into senior year my overall goal was to improve from last year and focus on staying healthy in order to help my team win the state meet. During summer training, I just focused on getting as much training in as possible without getting injured.
6) Describe a typical training week for you with a Saturday race? Any doubles? Typical weekly mileage? Longest run of the week? What is a typical workout for your team?
Usually if we have a race on Saturday we will try to get two workouts in on Monday and Wednesday. We would run a recovery run on Tuesday and Thursday and three or four miles on Friday to prepare for the race. The milage varies from week to week and a workout could be anything from a track tempo to surges at the park or mile repeats.
7) How meaningful it is to you to be on the Saugus varsity team? What are the expectations for the group during the season? What current or past runners have been mentors for you and the rest of the team?
Being on the varsity team is important to me because it is a chance to challenge myself and push my limits to be a part of this team's success. As a senior it's also an opportunity to inspire the younger girls on our team to work hard and achieve their goals.
8) Tell us about your coach and how he has helped you get to your current level as a senior?
For me personally, Rene Paragas has put me in some big varsity races as a junior where I earned some valuable experience to bring to my senior year. As a coach, he gives us the opportunity to face mental and physical obstacles during practice that we work on conquering in preparation for races.
9) Favorite cross country course? Favorite cross country invitational? Favorite cross country workout? Favorite long run? Favorite track event? Favorite track invitational? Favorite track workout? Favorite Saugus tradition? Favorite free time activity?
Favorite cross country course: Mt. Sac
Favorite cross country invitational:Mt. Sac
Favorite cross country workout: P-hills
Favorite long run: Great Wall
Favorite track event: 1600
Favorite Track invitational: Arcadia
Favorite track workout: track tempo
Favorite Saugus Tradition: Assassins workout
Favorite free time activity: Catching up on Netflix or baking something
10) Will running be a factor when it comes to deciding what college you will attend next year?
Yes! It may not be the determining factor, but I am excited to find a college to run at!
11) From your experience on the Saugus cross country and track and field teams, what lessons have you learned that carry over to the rest of your life?
This sport has changed my whole outlook on life! I have endured so many things I never thought I would get through before. Cross country has taught me to not limit my capabilities, but instead to work toward my goals and believe in myself. This carries over into every aspect of my life especially with school and academics.
12) Anything else you would like to add (Photo below courtesy of Cari Heys-Sydney 2nd from left).
Thank you!
