By Michael Newman
Ilprepharrier.wordpress.com

The headlines so far in this 2012 season of girls cross country in Illinois have featured Flanagan, Perez, Ackerman. In the far northwest suburbs of the state, there is the small town of Marengo. It has its own running star in Katie Adams. The senior has been known by the people living in this town, but in the last year people around Illinois are starting to take notice of this talented runner.

Adams did win the 2A 1600 last spring after placing second in the 3200. There was still a question of whether she could take the next step up on the cross country course. She proved that at the beginning of September when she beat heralded freshman Skylar Bollinger of Yorkville at the First to the Finish Invitational on the state meet course at Detweiller Park. Her time of 17:03 surprised many that looked at the Sunday paper and saw the results.

“Her 17:03 at Detweiller was surprising. Our goal heading into that race was a 17:15,” said her coach, R.J. Meyer. “Prior to that race we agreed that we were going to run against the clock and not really against a specific person. She used that same strategy the next weekend at the Larry Eddington Invite when she pulled away from the pack at the 1.5 mile mark.”

Part of that pack was defending 2A champion Sami Staples of Crystal Lake Central. Adams defeated her by 12 seconds with her winning 17:53 in that meet. That effort has defined her as a key runner to watch in girls 2A this fall. “Katie is not only a talented runner, but she is a great tactical runner,” added Meyer. “ She knows exactly where she is with pace and what’s happening with her body at any point during a race. This allows us to strategize and plan races out in a variety of ways. She doesn’t need me to tell her what’s happening in the race – she is always one step ahead of me and adjusts accordingly.”

Not too many people outside of Marengo knew about this runner who could certainly go under 17 at the Det in November. Katie took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions that will give you more of an insight of this young lady.

Dyetrack : How old were you when you first started to run?

Adams: I started running in fifth grade for Zion Lutheran Elementary School.

Dyetrack: How has your family influenced your running?

Adams : My family has given me so much support ever since I started running. They truly believe God has given me a gift, and that if I pursue my talent I can accomplish many things. Through adversities from injuries, sickness, and poor races, they continue to support me no matter what the circumstances. Without their support and belief in me, I would not be the runner I am today.

Dyetrack: I saw that in June of 2007 that you ran in the Distance Gala and you ran 5:01 for the mile! How old were you at that time? Talk about the experience of that race.

Adams: I was 12 years old at the time of the race and had just finished my seventh-grade year. Although it was a high school race, they let me run since I had the qualifying time. The day of the meet, I was extremely nervous. I was thinking that I was way in over my head to be competing against high school runners. My parents were persistent in telling me not to worry, because I had nothing to lose. If anything, they knew I could only gain from being able to run with girls that were older and faster than me. When the race started, I was already in last place after the first few seconds.

For the first half of the race, I was still in that position, just trying to hold onto the pace set by the girls right in front of me. As the third lap began, I felt that I had more energy to give and started passing people. I kicked it in on the last 400 meters, and before I knew it, I was in second place going down the home stretch. I was shocked that I had just run a 5:01 mile. I thought the experience gave me a significant confidence boost and helped me see that I am capable of more than I think.

Dyetrack: Talk about the first state meet that you ran in at Detweiller Park.

Adams: After my sectional meet freshman year, I thought it couldn’t get any worse. I was wrong. My sectional meet sophomore year ended up with an ambulance ride over to the hospital. In the last 400 meters of the race, I lost feeling in my lower extremities. I began to slow down, but I knew I had to finish the race for my team.

Runners started passing me to the finish, but I couldn’t go any faster. Once I crossed the finish line, I collapsed and passed out. The next thing I remember is being carried away in an ambulance and being rushed to the hospital. The following week, we didn’t really know if I was going to run or not at the state meet. Then, the doctors cleared me to run the day before the meet. I was just thankful that I was able to participate in the state meet that year and enjoy the experience with my team for the first time. I finished 9th and my team finished 11th. I was happy that it ended on a positive note.

Dyetrack: You had a great track season last year which culminated in a state championship in the 1600. Can you talk about that race, especially the feeling you had crossing the finish line.

Adams: The 1600 has been my favorite race ever since I’ve started running. After getting second in the two mile from a girl out of the slow heat, I knew I had to have that chip on my shoulder going into the race. The entire race I was thinking about all the hard work I had done since I was 11 years old and how much I wanted the state title.

I had a feeling of empowerment while running when thinking of all that it took to get to where I was. When I crossed the finish line in first place, I experienced a wave of emotions. I was sad that such a great track season was over, yet overjoyed that my long time goal of winning a state title was accomplished.

Dyetrack: Would you consider that race the high point in your running career so far?

Adams: Yes. I had come such a long way to get to that point in my career. Even though I had many setbacks that kept me from reaching that goal earlier on in high school, it only made the victory even sweeter in the end. I believe it was in God’s plan to experience persistence and patience to help me appreciate the moment that much more. I truly believe I earned this victory through hard work, dedication, and faith.

Dyetrack: What would you consider the low point in your running career in high school?

Adams: I think the low point would be my sectional meet my freshman year. I had just beaten Kayla Beattie at regionals the week before and was ranked number one in the state for 2A. By that following Wednesday, I caught the flu. I still tried running at sectionals for my team even though I wasn’t sure if I was going to have enough energy for the race. I fell short of making it to state as I was only one place away to qualify.

I was devastated. I had so much confidence the week before only to feel like all of it had been taken away from me. Even though I was upset, I knew I had to be happy for my teammate that earned her spot to state. Watching the race was extremely difficult though — knowing that I could be on that course and up with the lead pack was hard to watch from the sidelines. I wish I could’ve showed all that I had worked for that year, but it only made me more excited and focused to begin training for the next season.

Dyetrack: After your great track season last spring, I would imagine that you were anxious to get to this fall. Talk about the training that went through this summer.

Adams: I was extremely anxious for cross country! The titles I won in track gave me much more confidence in starting this season. In the summer, I had a renewed motivation and passion for the sport. I increased the volume and intensity of my training because I knew I was now ready for that next step.

Dyetrack : What kind of goals did you have individually entering this season?

Adams: My goal for this season is to win the state title. I also hope to motivate the team and help each team member achieve her best results. If each of us performs our best in November, the team can achieve our goal of placing at state and bringing a trophy back to Marengo.

Dyetrack: You are undefeated so far this year. Talk about the race a few weeks ago at Detweiller where you had to race Skyler Bollinger, the freshman from Yorkville. How did you feel after that race? Were you expecting to run 17:03? What was your goal heading into that race?

Adams: I felt amazing after that race. I was not expecting to run that time so early in the season, but it makes me even more excited to know my training is showing great results already. My only goal was to focus on running against the clock, and not the runners that surrounded me. I just ran relaxed and confident throughout the race which played to my advantage.

Dyetrack: The following Saturday was the first time you faced Sami Staples this fall. What was your game plan for this race? What was your reaction after the race was over?

Adams: Going into the race, I knew I wasn’t going to be recovered after having a great workout Thursday afternoon. So, my plan was just to run for time and run at a steady pace. After the race was over, I was satisfied with getting first place, but not satisfied with my time. I knew I could’ve run faster if I was fully recovered, so I just had to accept it and remind myself that the goal is to finish first in November.

Dyetrack: Your team has come up through the ratings as the year has progressed. What kind of goals did you set at the beginning of the year team wise? Talk about some of your teammates and how they have been running.

When I think about the team progression, I remember how my freshman year we did not have enough girls to form a team. We recruited a runner to be our fifth runner to run at regionals. Now, my senior year, it is an enormous feeling and an honor to be a part of a team that has a chance to place at state. Our team has set high goals for this season. We hope to win conference, regionals, sectionals, and place in the top three at state. The girls are motivated more than ever this year and have been working extremely hard. Allie Sprague, Katie St. Claire, Kitty Allen, and Lexi Olson have all shown huge improvements thus far this season. Kitty Allen, especially, has amazed me this year. She went from being our seventh runner last year to our fourth runner this year. It has been such a positive, uplifting atmosphere to be in. The team is very close which I think contributes to how we motivate each other, and push each other to reach our potential.

Dyetrack: I am sure schools have been contacting you about your next four years. Have you made a decision where you want to go to college? If not, have you narrowed down your list of schools?

Adams: I have narrowed down my list, but I’m not certain of where I want to go yet. University of Minnesota, University of Iowa, University of Missouri, and St. Louis University are all possibilities.

Dyetrack: Have you decided on what you would like to study in college?

Adams: I would like to major in Physical Therapy.

Dyetrack: Do you have any rituals that you and your teammates have before a race?

Adams: We usually do a team cheer and say a quick prayer before lining up for the race.

Dyetrack: Are you involved in any other clubs in school or any other activities?

Adams: I’m involved in National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Freshmen Mentor Program.

Dyetrack: I would guess you are super busy. When you have free time, what do you do to relax?

Adams: Free time is usually a rare occasion for me. When I get the chance, I like hanging out with family and friends, playing with my dogs, and going on bike rides. I’m also a huge movie junkie. On some nights, I will just sit on the couch, wrapped up in my blanket, and watch my favorite movies.

Dyetrack: Your favorite food?

Adams: That’s an easy question. My grandma’s specialty of spatula (German pasta) and Olive Garden breadsticks! I would say that might be a typical response from a runner.

Dyetrack: You will be graduating this spring. What legacy would you like to leave at Marengo and the Marengo running program for future runners to follow at the school?

Adams: I would like to leave a legacy that if you set your mind to something, you can achieve it through hard work and focus. I hope in the four years I’ve had at Marengo that my teammates have been inspired by my hard work and dedication to the sport. Also, I hope I’ve set a good enough example for the team that they may set a good example for runners that may look up to them someday. I know the girls before me set the standard of what it is to be a hard worker, a team player, and above all, an inspiration. When I leave, I hope they remember me as a great runner but an even greater teammate.