Name: Kyaunna Libby
School: Bonny Eagle High School
What was your most memorable race?
I have a couple very memorable races. In my sophomore year I was part of Bonny Eagle's first ever state championship in girl's cross country. My entire team was so excited! We took so many pictures and even dumped the water jug over my coach's head! On the bus ride back you could really feel the unity and the team bond. Then when we won it again my junior year we were all so proud and we even got a police escort back to the school with sirens and everything! We had no idea we would be getting that, our coach had secretly set it up and surprised us! It felt like something that would only happen once in a lifetime.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition was the upperclassmen across the state. As a Freshman and Sophomore I always had such respect for them and used them as inspiration. My coach had me train with the upperclassmen on the team and my best and most challenging workouts came from working with them. Some of my PRs are from those years. Though, as it is for many runners, my biggest competition was also myself. I have struggled on and off with self doubt which has sometimes held me back from really dropping the pace and getting out of my comfort zone. My best races always came from the days that I latched onto confidence and motivation.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Personally my greatest accomplishment was at the Indoor Southwestern Championship my senior year. It was the first time that I had ever successfully doubled in the 800 and mile in the same day to win both races. My coach was really proud and I was so excited. Usually I would do well in one and then tank in the next but I really felt my strength that day both physically and mentally. I had seen other runners double or triple in similar ways before and I had always wondered when or if I'd ever get there too. At the end of my senior year I was also picked as the most outstanding female athlete at Bonny Eagle's senior last assembly.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would lift more. During my indoor season of my senior year I really started hitting the weight room for the first time and it made a big difference. I set new indoor PRs in the 800m, 600y, and one mile. I think if I had realized the impact it can have earlier in my career I would have improved more quickly.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My sophomore year I grew a lot and had some hip issues which I went to physical therapy for. Then in my senior year after indoor I came down with mono, which put a big dent in my training for outdoor track. Training for outdoor track in my senior year was also hard because there were very little distance runners left on the team. I often had to run by myself during long runs and track workouts which gave me too much time to think about any difficulty I was having during it. To try to overcome that I stayed strict on my watch but I am still learning to push negative thoughts aside.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my coaches and my xc & track friends that I have made during the last 4 years the most. My college is very far away and my family just moved to Florida so I will not get to see them as often as I'd like. I am planning on making trips back to Maine to visit friends and family whenever I can.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
My advice would be to work with your teammates as much as you can. The people that surround you in those challenging workouts will push you and may also become your best friends. Running is so much better when you have your best friends there. Also, no one goes anywhere without dedication, so show up to practice as often as possible.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
I give all my credit to Coach Strout. In middle school I was not a good runner, but when I joined cross country as the only freshman that year he believed that I had potential. Any accomplishments that I have as a runner are a reflection of his coaching. Now I believe that running will continue to be a part of my life long after college.
What are your college plans?
My college plan is to attend Garden City Community College in Kansas. I have signed with Coach Ray Putnam on an athletic scholarship to run there as part of the NJCAA. I am studying media and communications.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to thank my parents for always making sure I had everything I could possibly need on race day and for always cheering me and my teammates on. I would also like to thank my coach Chris Strout for turning me into the runner that I am today. He taught me the value of dedication and has always believed in me. I spent 12 seasons and 4 years under his training and I couldn't have asked for a better coach. Lastly I'd like to thank my teammates for all of the great memories and sportsmanship on and off the track.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you me.milesplit for all the work that you do!
More Coverage
Do you know a class of 2015 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 dveilleux@milesplit.us
