2020 Maine XC Watchlist: Emmaline Pendleton, Bonny Eagle HS



Notable Finishes: 4th Class A SM Regional 2019, 10th Class A States 2019, 46th New England championship 2019, 4th SM Classic F/S Race 2019, 13th Festival of Champions 2019

Comments: Pendleton made a huge jump last fall going from 35th in the Class A state meet as a freshman to 10th last season as a sophomore.  She helped the Scots to another Class A team title, and this fall will look to do the same. She's ready to continue that progression into a top potential top-five finisher this fall after a strong summer of training and an excellent indoor season that saw her run 5:16 for the mile and 11:32 for 2 miles.


How has COVID-19 affected you?

COVID-19 has cancelled my outdoor season and switched the spring trimester to online learning, and it's also caused me (as well as everyone else) to be unsure about what will come next. It's been pretty stressful at times, but i'm thankful i've been able to keep training with my friends and stay pretty healthy! I'm praying that despite the pandemic we can still have a cross country season this fall!

What has your summer training consisted of? How much mileage are you putting in?

My summer training has consisted of adding more mileage then I have before alongside my teammates Delaney Hesler and Hannah Stevens

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

My goals are to help lead my team to another state title, get more PRs, and just help build our team up in general!

What is your favorite workout that makes you feel most prepared for success?

Hill repeats and 1k repeats are both workouts that leave me feeling prepared and strong (and also a bit tired).

What did you learn from the last xc season that will help you improve in 2020?

I learned that it's important to push yourself to your limits and that mental toughness is just as important as physical toughness, that sometimes your mind will be giving up but your body still has more to give!

How is your team looking for the fall?

Our team is looking strong, and we're looking to develop and help all the new athletes and returning ones to be the best they can be for our team.

How do you stay motivated when you don't want to run?

Personally for me, staying motivated isn't that hard because I just genuinely love to run and it's my "happy place". However, on the occasional day where I don't feel like running, I remind myself how important it is that I get my training in to be the best I can be for our team.

What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received in the sport?

Coach has given many inspiring and motivating statements over the past couple years, but if I can only choose one it would have to be

"Don't be a wimp. Run fast."
(in all seriousness though, if it weren't for Coach's abundant encouragement and inspiration, I wouldn't be the runner I am today).

What are the top three "little things" that you do to prevent injury?

I make sure to stretch after my runs, and I also do strengthening for my legs and hips to prevent injury, and I follow the plan given to me by my coaches.

What is the one thing you have done during COVID-19 that you have never had time for in the past?

I got to train with my dad! We would run together and he would take me to the track to do my workouts and even do some of them with me. During all my time trials he would time and encourage me (just like he would at meets) and it was just a really cool experience and one of the only things that helped me get through quarantine.

What's the farthest you've ever run at one time?

13.1 miles with my teammate Delaney Hesler!

If every day were a holiday, what would yours be?

Coach Burelsons Birthday. Definitely.

Favorite subject in school?

Literally anything but health.

If you could go on a run with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Why?

My teammates Delaney Hesler and Hannah Stevens. Before quarantine, I might've named someone famous or super fast, but coronavirus has made me realize how there's no other people I would rather run with than my teammates. I would do anything for those girls and hands down would choose to run with them over any famous person.

If your teammates gave you a superlative, what would it be?

Either most energetic/most likely to laugh at anything or most likely to cry at literally everything.