Coach Johnson: We practiced three days a week. Each day consisted of either a distance run, hill/speed workout or tempo run.
MTXC: How did you train the team in the final weeks leading up to the state meet?
CJ: We still kept up with some speedwork, but tapered on the mileage. It was stressed to the girls to make sure that their recovery runs were at a recovery speed.
MTXC: What chances or belief did you have in your team's chance and ability to win the state title?
CJ: I knew that we had some strong freshman that would add to the team. In the beginning of the season I felt we had a chance to make it to the top 5 in the state meet. The SMAA has some very strong girl's teams, and as the season progressed, I could tell that the girls had a chance to do something amazing at the regional and state level.
MTXC: What advice or points of emphasis did you give your team prior to the race or the week leading into the state meet?
CJ: We discussed the importance of pushing it on the downhills, letting gravity do the work and picking up the pace on the flat portions of the course. The girls were reminded to push themselves to where they felt they gave it everything they had.
MTXC: What was the race plan for the state meet and how did you feel it was executed? We wanted to follow a similar pattern to the regional meet. Go out strong. Push the second mile. Get through the pain cave and give it your all to the finish.
CJ: Who do you feel really stepped up individually the most for the team at the state meet?
MTXC: All of the girls gave it everything they had. Kialeigh Marston maintained a strong front pack finish, even after falling on the last turn of the race. Ami Beaumier stayed just behind the front back, and also made a quick recovery from a fall. Elisabeth Redwood had a phenomenal race coming in 23 places before her seeded time, and running a personal record. Abbie Nelson ended up running her fastest race of the season. (Both Elisabeth and Abbie ran 17 seconds faster than at regionals). Kayla Raymond, despite cramping up during the race, picked up around 20 spots in the last mile to round it out as our fifth runner.
CJ: What were your feelings and emotions when you realized your team had won or during the awards? Extremely proud. Running two amazing races (regionals and states) within a week of each other is an amazing accomplishment.
MTXC: What were the biggest challenges for this year's team?
CJ: Confidence. With such a young team, it was a challenge to have the girl's trust in themselves and their abilities. It took them awhile to understand that just because you are seeded at a certain time does not mean you need to run that same time.
MTXC: How would you best describe the group of kids that you coach?
CJ: These are a group of dedicated, passionate, quirky, funny, giggly, awesome, and speedy girls to work with.
MTXC: What role do your assistant coaches play with the program?
CJ: Assistant coaches do not exist in our current program. Collaborating with the boys team not only helped to push the girls, but the boys team showed great improvements this season as well.
MTXC: What role do your parents have with the program?
CJ: We had a great group of parents that were consistently cheering the kids on from the sidelines.
MTXC: Who were the leaders on your team and what was the importance to the squad?
CJ: Elisabeth Redwood and Kialeigh Marston brought their knowledge of being in various state meets. They understood the nerves that the freshmen may have been feeling and passed along some words of wisdom.
MTXC: Every state championship team seems to have a special or unique makeup that makes them state champions. What were some of those characteristics of this year's team?
CJ: I would say these girls brought heart, determination, and left everything they had out on the course.
MTXC: What are your expectations for next year's team?
CJ: We are returning three of the freshmen who were a part of the championship team: Ami Beaumier, Kayla Raymond and Abbie Nelson. Christine Toy, who filled our number two spot until she was sidelined by injury, will be back. We'll add some talented individuals coming up from the middle school, so Bonny Eagle will be a team to keep an eye on over the next several years.
