Whitney Wagner '17 Recruiting Profile

Going into freshman year, I knew I was not going to be the fastest runner in cross country so I began to train during summer. During the season freshman year my hard work paid off,  running a 26:57 5k my very first race,  to a 23:08 at districts placing 15th and qualifying for state. Track freshman year was however not in my favor. Moving on to sophomore year cross country, I came away with a 9th place finish at districts with a 22:33, again dropping my time the whole year to a personal record. Qualifying for the state meet, I placed 33rd, 8 places shy of All-State. As track came around the corner sophomore year, I didn't expect success to be in my favor, being as we have multiple strong distance runners in our district. I places 2nd at conference in the two mile, 1st at districts, 2nd at sectionals, and 8th at state, making All-State. My times went from a 14:19 decreasing to a 13:10.  Junior year cross country was the highlight of my cross country career. I placed 1st at district with a 21:56 5k qualifying for the state meet, the third year in a row, but unfortunately, I ended up 49th at state due to a huge cramp in my side. Moving on into track, afraid I would fail again, I pushed myself to compete again at the state meet. Throughout the season, in the two mile, I placed 2nd at districts, 3rd at sectionals, and 12th at state with a 13:23. Senior year cross country was the hardest year yet. We moved up a class and the competition was horrific. My coach pushed me harder then ever before, winning one meet and placing top 10 in others. I qualified for state with a 22:54 5k at the hermitage course, the toughest course I have ever competed on. At class 2 state meet, I ran 22:30 for a #66 place finish, my fastest time on that course. When track senior year approached, I wanted to do my best in everything my coach put me into. I love the 4x800 and every chance I had to run it, I would ran faster then the previous race getting my split to below a 2:40. He wanted me to compete in the mile and two mile also, running all three evernts every meet we had. My mile got to a 6 flat, but never under 6. The two mile slowly crept down to low 13's, however didn't move any lower.  I moved past districts and sectionals came up. Not knowing that this was the hardest race I would ever run, I got on the line for the mile and ran a 5:44. Competing for a state spot the whole way, I sprinted the last lap with a 1:17 split, the fastest lap out of the whole competition. I raced the two mile and moved onto state, also placing fourth. The state meet was unreal, competing in two events was better then just the normal one. I ran my fastest two mile ever, finally breaking 13 for a 12:57 run, and finished 10 th. I also finished 10 in the mile with a 5:45. I love running and will not give it up for anything. My determination to become better is what gets me up and going. I love competing and racing with teammates. Teammates are what make running all the better. Good relationships and sheering on teammates are why I have stuck with running.