What was your most memorable races? My freshman year was really special, being with two of my sisters on the team. Outdoor New Englands sticks out to me, where Hannah got Massabesic's school record, which was actually my oldest sister, Katherine's record. Hannah and I raced in the same heat of the 3200m. She made it fun being her goofy self and I got a big PR.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most? Really, getting into Columbia. I view it as the culmination of my hard work and successes, along with failures. Just like shooting for a fast time, Columbia was a stretch, but through perseverance, it became achievable, even to my disbelief.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school? I would have taken it less seriously and had more fun with it. I viewed racing well as having fun, so when I didn't race well, I was miserable. Sure it's fun to race well but ironically, I think if I had just loosened up, my performances would have been better. Seriously, I had my best races when I almost missed the start because I was goofing off with someone.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? It's been a bumpy road. Thankfully not injury wise but I've dealt with iron deficiency, a hip issue, and an anxiety disorder. None of these were things that could take me out of the sport though, so I had to figure out how to deal with them. Throughout indoor and outdoor of my senior year, my anxiety and hip were most prevalent, but I tried my best to not let these factors ruin my time. Although my running fluctuated, I think these obstacles strengthened me in the end-in a physical sense, strength to tough out pain, and in a mental way, trying to prevent a negative pattern and using my mind to take over when my body faltered.

What will you miss the most? I'll miss the low key, regular season meets. There is nothing like a small cross country race through the woods on a Friday evening. Big invitationals will be fun next year but I won't have those same solitary moments on the track or a trail.

What advice you would give to younger athletes? To stick with it! Running isn't meant to be easy or one smooth path. I've endured so many ups and downs but I look back on the overall journey with pride. After several years, it is a great feeling to be able to look back and see the progress. In four years I have gone from a shrimpy, ghostly pale kid, to a more muscular, still pale(but with nice short and sock tan lines) woman who has achieved all of her goals; to break 11 mins, 5 mins, and 2:20.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals? I've had a lot of coaches in my high school career. Mr Hesler at Massabesic set me up well as a freshman for my next years, getting my times down to 5:30 in the mile and 11:30 in the 2 mile. Coach Reaser transformed my running though. She has vastly improved my speed, form, and race tactics. I remember before she was my coach, whenever I saw her, I viewed her as a legend. I was in disbelief when I heard that she would be my coach. From then on, she has inspired me in every way. She ran with us almost every day, even workouts, shared stories of her own about high school and college, and is TOUGH! Sometimes I think I ran well out of fear and wanting to gain her respect. She has took me to another level of running and has given me confidence in my abilities.

What are your college plans? I'll run next year for Columbia University. I plan to major in either Creative Writing or Urban Studies. It feels like I've been waiting all of my life for college, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be on a div 1 team.

Who would you like to say thank you to? Family, coaches, friends! I truly wouldn't have accomplished what I have without your love and support.

P.S. I think out of habit I'll keep checking Maine Milesplit next year but good luck to the rest of Maine, represent!!