Track
Cross Country
Athletics are a big part of my life. Throughout high school I have been a part of the track team. In addition to this, I ran cross-country in my junior and senior years. Running is the most pure form of competition. A single body is in contest with all others. At the end of the race, if I have defeated a competitor, there is no question as to which the superior athlete is. I know that it is my body and my strength and my will that has brought me to victory. For me, running is more than a sport; it is a part of my very being. I love to feel the strength in my legs and know that I am a part of something very special.
Although much of running is an individual competition, the high school teams that I am a part of mean a great deal to me. I love to contribute to the team, scoring points and helping to bring pride to the school that I represent. Following are my track and cross-country accomplishments highlighted.
I have been a member of the Susquehanna Township track team since middle school. I currently run under the direction of Coach Dager. The sport has given me a lot and I feel that I have, in turn, contributed to the program. Every year throughout high school, I have had the opportunity to compete in the AAA Mid-Penn Championships. In addition to this, I have run in numerous invitationals and have medalled at several. In duel meets, I am usually able to score points in multiple events for my team. This year I hope to lead the team as a track captain. The following are my personal records in the events that I have run. These are current as of February 2000.
| Event |
Personal Record |
| 400 meters |
67 seconds |
| 800 meters |
2min. 34sec. |
| 1600 meters |
5min. 45sec. |
| 3200 meters |
13min. 42sec. |
In additional to these personal records, I am a member of the school record holding 4 x 800 meter relay team. The Susquehanna Township High School 4 x 800 meter record is 10min. 12sec. and was set in 1998.
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"Trample the wounded; hurdle the dead!"
I joined the cross-country team under the direction of Coach Falk in my junior year after playing two years of field hockey. The cross-country running experience differs from that of track. Whereas track involves an intense effort on a uniform track, cross-country is run on a 5 kilometer course. Every school's course is different as various hills, turns, and sometimes even streams must be navigated. Self-motivation is of the essence in order to master the 3.1 mile race.
I am currently listed as the number 3 cross-country runner to come through Susquehanna, with a home course personal record of 21min. 42sec. I have run in the AAA Mid-Penn and District XC meets for the past two years. This year, I served as a senior captain of the team in spite of my limited experience. I earned this position in part because of my completion of the 400 mile club this summer. This involved daily running throughout the summer. Runs ranged from 3 to 10 miles and at the end of the summer, I had run 400 miles to prepare for my season.
One of the most positive aspects of any sport is the personal connections that one makes with teammates. In my case, I have been particularly fortunate to run with some very talented individuals. I love my teammates and feel as if we are tied by a very unique bond that only the shared experience of Saturday morning workouts and body breaking races can create. I owe much of my success to the members of my team who have helped to motivate me and who have kept the sport fun.--SHMEE!
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