XC Watchlist: Kassidy Dill- Orono HS

<p> Check out our 2015 Maine XC previews as we prepare for the upconing season</p>


XC Watchlist: Kassidy Dill - Orono HS

Athlete Name: Kassidy Dill

School: Orono HS

Year of Graduation: 2017

2014 State Meet Finish: 2nd in Class C 19:53.59


Tell us how your summer training is going?


It has been going very well! During the months of June & July, every Tuesday and Thursday our boys & girls teams would get together and run, which is always extremely fun because I love my teammates and coaches. On all the other days, I have been working hard to run on my own or with friends, Hannah Steelman & I run together often. I’ve done a few road races, including Beach to Beacon, which was such a great experience, and lastly I will be attending the Slovenski Cross Country Running Camp for the third time at the end of the summer before pre-season.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

I have some high individual goals that I hope to achieve, but I am also very focused on the team goals; I hope that I can become even closer with my teammates, and that we can compete the same way we have for the past two years.

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

I have been running for 12 years..I began running when I was four in the Summer Track Program in Maine, but it wasn’t until I was 10 that I realized I wanted to be a cross country runner. I always thought I was a sprinter, keeping the distances short with the 100 & 200, until I tried cross country in 5th grade and I discovered that I could run & enjoyed running longer distances. Ever since my first race six years ago, cross country has been my favorite.

Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?

Every year I have a goal to compete at New England's which is typically out of state, but I have heard that it is in Maine this year, which means I won't have to be leaving the state to compete, and that definitely has its advantages and disadvantages. I always love seeing new courses & enjoy the adventurous aspects of going somewhere new to compete, but I think if it is in Maine it will be really great to be familiar with my surroundings and it will give me an opportunity to see how much I can improve my race.


What is your favorite course to run in Maine?

I’m going to have to go with Twin Brook, because although it is challenging, I think it’s a really fun and interesting course, and it has a way of putting your running strengths & abilities to the test.

What is the toughest course to run in Maine?

Ellsworth, especially in the heat!

What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?

I think that I treat every meet the same, I go into it with a competitive mentality and try & set some pretty high goals for myself, as I enjoy the success that comes out of consistent hard work, and I think the same motivation exists amongst my teammates. There is no better feeling than after you finish a race, when you can say you did your best, and truly believe in that statement.

What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career & favorite cross country memory?

Definitely either Festival of Champions or States this past year, two amazing races and days that I won’t forget. Both individual & team aspects of those days were phenomenal. For myself, those two races showed me the amount of strength that I obtained and didn’t even know I had as a runner, and for the team, getting runner-up at Festival’s and winning States again was an amazing feeling, almost indescribable. I am so honored to be part of such an incredible team that is filled with great people and coaches.


When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?

The other sport I do is basketball, so usually when I'm not running I love to go to the gym and shoot around or I'm playing in a practice or game with my teammates.

Favorite quote?

I’ve got two “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” “When your legs get tired, run with your heart."

What shoes do you train in?

Currently I am training in Brooks Glycerin 13's, I've always run in Brooks since I began cross country when I was younger.

What shoes do you race in?

Brooks racing spikes.

What professional athlete would you most like to meet?

I would love to meet Jordan Hasay. She’s a really big inspiration of mine.

What is something that most people don't know about you?

I like to run long distances, and plan on running a half-marathon sometime soon, and my goal is to run a full marathon someday.



More on Dill

Dill's Milesplit Profile

Personal Bests

  • 1,600 Meter Run 5:45.79
  • 2.5 Mile Run 18:02.00
  • 3,200 Meter Run 12:25.00
  • Three Mile Run 19:33.00
  • 4000 Meter Run 16:35.60
  • 400 Meter Dash 1:02.17
  • 5,000 Meter Run 19:45.74
  • 800 Meter Run 2:31.74