Personal Records:
1600m - 5:18.61
3200m - 11:19.70
4K (xc) - 15:28.40
5K (xc) - 19:22.70
State XC 2016 - 6th Place
State T&F 2016 - 3200m 7th Place
State XC 2015 - 8th Place
State XC 2014 - 20th Place
State XC 2013 - 62nd Place
What sports did you play when you were young and which ones helped the most for cross country and track & field? What is your height and weight?
I did get into a wide variety of sports all before I even reached the middle school; many of them being through at the Austin YMCA. I was in basketball, gymnastics, dance, soccer, swimming, and track and field. I do still play basketball, only now for Lyle-Pacelli.
Although track and field seems the most logical for being the sport that benefited me the most I would have to say basketball help me the most, at least on a mental scale. I did give up gymnastics for cross country, but it wasn't much of a sacrifice, and the sport I miss the most would be swimming. I have a letter in basketball as well as some in cross country and track & field. I am 5'3 ½" and about 100 pounds.
Annie and Katie Christopherson were great athletes for Austin Pacelli back in the 1970s and 1980s. They both went to state in cross country, basketball and track & field. Are they role models for you?
Katie and Annie were and still are great role models for me, however it was their basketball success that I am always reminded of. I do aspire to be like them, especially in track and field for they have some hard records to beat. Another inspiration for me would be my grandfather William Christopherson. He always enjoyed watching me play sports, when he passed away I wanted to continue doing them for him. I first got interested into cross country when the whole school had a send-off for Sarah Khale. As a freshman, Sarah went to state in cross country; I was in fifth grade at the time, and sports really started to become an interest of mine. When Sarah went to state I told myself I wanted to do that; I wanted to do that "Country thing," I said to my parents on a car ride home from school.
What is the enrollment at Austin Pacelli High School?
I do not know the exact amount of enrollment at Pacelli, but if I had to guess I would say around 100 students for both Pacelli's Middle School and High School.
Your coach must be a great recruiter. How does he attract runners from the very few students at your school?
Coach Jim Parlin does a great job at recruiting new runners. He starts young; recruiting them the summer of going into sixth grade. However, sometimes it isn't enough. This past cross country season we didn't have enough for a girls team; in fact, we have only had one season were the girls team was actually a team since I've been participating in cross country. Parlin's biggest emphasis is Head, Heart, Gut. This means run a smart race - (Head), run with a purpose - (Heart), and leave everything on the course - (Gut).
What obstacles have you had to overcome in your career?
I was injured most of the past cross country season with an unspecified foot injury. Anne Kristopherson was able to help me get past this injury and still qualify for state by having me use a nerve stimulator and alternating cold and heat treatments.
I wasn't able to run in more than half of the races; only making it back to the last four. During that time I was biking in the Pacelli weight room and swimming at the YMCA on the weekends. During the track and field season my injury was gone, but I did have some symptoms of the bronchitis towards the tail end of the season, but nothing serious. As of right now I am recovered from a surgery this August. I had Appendicitis.
Is cross country a team sport?
Cross Country is more than just a team sport here for the Shamrocks; we have become a family. We run, eat and even sleep together - (at the Cross Country Campout). In fact, most if not all sports feel like a family, even the ones Pacelli combines with Lyle. Our numbers may not be there, but our relationships are stronger than any large school. I wouldn't give it up for the world. I don't feel more at home than I do running or playing for Pacelli or Lyle-Pacelli sports.
Who do you run with in practice?
I run with everybody on the team even the slowest, but still valuable, runners. I would also be happy to have more join the team.
Most of the time I run with the fast group which often includes coaches Ryan Bickler, Johnathan McDonough, Kristen Thielen, graduate Nathan Drees, sophomore William Khale, freshman Jayden Lewis, and a sophomore girl who qualified for state along with me last year by the name of Rory Bickler. Nathan Kenne also used to run with that group but moved to Mankato. Jim Parlin bikes with the team because of injuries. We know that the coaches running with the team benefits us because they push us past our comfort zones.
You have made the all-state team four times and almost without exception you have improved every year. It's really quite unusual! What motivates you to keep running?
I continue to keep running for my school. It has given me a lot and I would like to give back. I also run for the glory of God; He has given me a gift that I am forever grateful for. My teammates, Coaches, friends, and family have also shown a great amount of support and I would hate to let them down.
I write my goals down in a Cross County Journal and look at these goals on a regular basis. My goals consist of short-term and long-term goals I set at the beginning of each season. I still have the goals I had from when I first started running. I work hard to accomplish my goals both physically and mentally, but I also try to put myself in a reasonable position to obtain them. I usually give up soda pop during the season or things like that as well.
Each race is different and most be looked at differently, but the goal is all the same; get/do better. It may be an improvement by time, place, or running a smart race that you can be proud of. Some races you'll want to run faster (State) or place higher (Sections), but you and I must be open and willing to work for improvement.
What kind of cross country course do you like best?
I have a love-hate relationship to hilly courses. I am told that I dominate the hills, but I sure do feel them when running. Some hilly courses are: Lewiston Country Club hosted by LA/RP; River View Golf Course hosted by NRHEG; Zumbrota-Mazeppa Golf Course hosted by ZM/KW; and the Sections 1A Course at the Northern Hills Golf Course. My favorite course would have to be the River View Golf Course hosted by NRHEG because I have always done well there.
Who are your toughest competitors?
My most competitive opponents are: Grace Ping of Winona Cotter; Abbey Orvis and Kailee Malone of Stewartville; Courtney West of KM/Triton; Tierney Wolfgram of Math & Science Academy (Woodbury);Sophie Epps of Cannon Falls;Abby Lewis of Austin and Hannah Higgins of Byron. I am looking forward to running with Grace Ping! I don't know much about her other than that she is good, moved to Utah then came back, and goes to Winona Cotter. The last time she was in Minnesota I ran in only three races with her: Stewartville, Section 1A, and State. However, this year Pacelli will be running at St. Mary's University in Winona, so I wouldn't be surprised to see her there too!
Does your team have any other rituals or traditions that you could share with us?
The Cross Country Campout that we have every year is a great tradition for us. It just so happens that this 2017 season happens to be our 30th year celebration! Everyone except the sixth graders on the team is welcome to come. It takes place at White Water State Park Campgrounds. There the whole team bonds closer together while getting plenty of running in. We also have fun practices such as the bike'n run, the handy-cap race, and the golf run that take place towards the end of the season.
What else do you do in Austin?
I participate in most dramas (plays and musicals), choir, HOSA-future health professionals, now doing PSEO, serve at mass, and help at Bingo at a local nursing home. I also try to make it to football and volleyball games, play ultimate Frisbee on Sundays, I participate in organized summer basketball for my school, and sports training. I do not know what college I will attend, but I am looking into the field of engineering. I would also like to participate in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track and Field in College and hopefully get a scholarship for all three. A few fun facts about me are: I don't have a cell phone, I enjoy doing 1000 piece puzzles, and I love watching Football games. GO VIKINGS!!!!
