Name: Kelly Meehleib

Age/Grade: 18/Senior

Sport(s) participating in: Cross Country, Track

Why she won:  She was 2nd at CG meet on Tuesday and 4th at the Bartlett Flyin’ Hawk Invite on Saturday running a personal best of 18:38 on the Bartlett Course.

Question: How long have you been running cross country?

Answer: I have been running cross country for six years. I began cross country in seventh grade.

Question: What is your training like (How many days a week for how many hours)?

Answer: I pretty much train five to six days a week. It depends on whether or not I have a meet and how my body feels regarding the need for rest. I usually train two to three hours.

Question: Why do you run?

Answer: I run because I love being a competitor on the course or track. I also love the feeling of knowing that my hard work has paid off by seeing personal improvement throughout my season.

Question: How does it feel when you place top five at a big meet or invitational?

Answer: It feels great knowing that I can compete with some of the best runners around the area or state.

Question: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?

Answer: The biggest accomplishments in my sport can range from having a personal record or making top ten in a race. To me personally, my biggest accomplishment in cross country is knowing that I pushed myself despite any doubts that I had in my mind.

Question: What is your biggest challenge?

Answer: The biggest challenge I have faced is injury. It took me a long time to get back to shape after being out of it for awhile. Along with trying to stay healthy, maintaining a positive attitude is a challenge as well. It is so easy for us to doubt ourselves or give up. Running is not only a physical sport but a mental sport. I always try to stay upbeat and not put myself down if things don’t go the way I want them to.

Question: What is the best advice you have ever received?

Answer: The best advice I have ever received came from my dad. He has told me to never give up and that hard work always pays off. I just have to believe in myself that I can accomplish anything if I work hard for it.

Question: Who is your role model/hero?

Answer: My role model/hero would have to be my dad. He has always been there for me and continues to support my passion to run. He never fails to cheer me on and push me to do my best.

Question: How do you keep pushing yourself at the end of a long run (What keeps you going)?

Answer: I always think about the end results. I know that finishing a long run will result in me experiencing improvement. I also think that my competitive drive helps to push me.

Question: Were you surprised that you won athlete of the week?

Answer: I was actually really surprised. I never won athlete of the week before and did not think I would get recognized in this way.

Question: Do you expect to play sports in college?

Answer: I definitely want to run in college. I have always defined myself as a student-athlete and couldn’t imagine not continuing that in the collegiate level.