Molly Boyum
Jackson County Central High School
- 200- 27.32
- 300h- 47.51
- 400 (split) - 1:00.2
- 800- 2:38.2
- 4k(XC)- 17:29.12
- 5k (XC)- 22:28.8
I started cross country in 7th grade after hearing my parents talk about how much fun they had when they ran cross country in high school when they were younger. I joined track my freshman year after some of my friends persuaded me to quit softball and to try track out. Prior to both of those, I had participated in the elementary track and cross country meets that the varsity athletes and coaches would put together in the fall and spring.
My most memorable cross country meet was the section meet this year. The temperature was below freezing, there was snow on the ground, and the wind was blowing 30 miles per hour. I knew that it was my last cross country race ever so I had to really give it everything and I ended up PRing by a minute and a half.
My most memorable track race was the 300 hurdles race at sections my junior year. I hadn't been hurdling for that long but I ran well at subsections and was seeded second at Sections. I ran my best time up to that point and had made it to State. Right after that, my teammate Jessica Christoffer, made it to State in the 800 and it was a great moment to share with her because it was both of our first times to state.
Who were your biggest competitors in your track/XC career?
One of my biggest competitors is Molly Reeves from Montevideo in the 300 hurdles. She is such an all around great runner and athlete. The only time I ever get to run against her is at Sections or State, but it is always super fun because the races are always fast and down to the wire. Another person who is fun to run against is Emma Koehler from Fairmont. Our high schools are not that far from each other so we are at a lot of the same meets. Emma and I have very similar times, so racing against her is always exciting. Other people who are fun to run against are Regan Feit from Luverne, Zoe Velde from Pipestone, and Sydney Blomme from Marshall. They are all super great girls who are fast and competitive to run against. All of these people make running the 300 hurdles even better.
My best race is the 300m hurdles, but I only started hurdling and running that race midway through my junior season. In the season and a half I've been doing the 300's, I've broken record and then re-set the record five times and have made it to State. I think that race in general is my greatest accomplishment. It is a tough, tough race to run and hurdling is a hard thing to pick up, so I am really proud of myself for working hard to get to where I'm at now.
I would join track earlier. I think back to middle school sometimes and wish I would have gone out for track in 7th and 8th grade just to get more experience.
All of my coaches have pushed me to be the best student, person, and athlete that I can be. The coaching staff at our school encourages us to make the best decisions and to always work our hardest even during tough times, which will stay with me through life.
My mom was diagnosed with cancer in the middle of my senior year. That was hard on me because it put a different type of stress on me and I had a lot of different emotions running through me all of the time. I've also had my fair share of muscle pulls, shin splints, and random sprains, strains, and aches. All of these things have made me a stronger person and has taught me to stay positive and mentally strong. Also, my mom is 100% healthy again!
What will you miss the most about high school track/XC?
The people! I have made so many friends on our team and I love how supportive everyone is. Our team is like one huge family. The upperclassman help and support the underclassman and middle schoolers, and the young kids add a really fun, young atmosphere to the team. Everyone is there to compete and to have fun. Being all on the same page makes each season fun and exciting.
Try a whole bunch of different activities. There are so many kids who are specializing in a position or in a sport, but doing a whole bunch of different things in the long run will make you a lot more well rounded, a better athlete, and will teach you more about life. You will also meet a lot of different people and find more opportunities.
I will be attending Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota to major in Physical Education and will be running track. I am super excited to improve and run for the Wolves!
I want to say thank you to my family for seriously everything they have done for me. I am the person I am today because of them and they (my mom, dad, and brother) are the three greatest people in my life. I also want to thank my team and all of the wonderful people that I have met through running for the races, the memories, the laughs, and everything else that has made running in Minnesota so great.
