I have been a track runner since I was in 5th grade, and started running cross country my freshman year of high school. 

When I started track, I did not feel like a part of a team, as I often changed events every year. However, when I started cross country, I found my spot on the track team: middle and distance. Since then, I have had an amazing team and running experience. Our cross country team feels like a second family to me and I love them more than anything.

Running has taught me persistence and that hard work and consistency pays off. It has also taught me to take pride in my abilities and triumphs but also to learn from the hard times and to believe in myself.