Faces off the field
Avery Hill, cross-country sophomore, Georgetown
How did you get involved with cross-country?
My parents coached a running team when I was in elementary school. I was one of the slower runners, but I improved over time. By the time I was in eighth grade, I was the fastest girl in our district.
What is your personal goal this fall?
Last year I was sick at the district meet and was disappointed with my performance. This year I want to compete at state.
How cool was it to win the Westlake Invitational?
This was my first win in high school. I have lowered my times considerably since last season. Last season I struggled with my starts. In cross-country, the start is very important. I worked on leg strength and speed over the summer to increase my kick at the start and finish. At the Westlake meet, I was in a comfortable lead for most of the race because of a good start.
What do you think about when you run?
I am thinking about catching the girl in front of me or beating the girl behind me. When training, I think about my pace and sometimes I get a song stuck in my head.
How do you motivate yourself to run on days you don’t feel like it?
There is seldom a time when I don’t feel like running. Running is my stress-reliever. I would run every day if my coach would let me.
What are your plans after you graduate?
My plan is to go to college and study to become a physical therapist. I want to run cross-country and track in college.
If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?
Jesus, George Strait, Will Ferrell and Lolo Jones.
Why Lolo?
Even though I am not a hurdler, I selected Lolo Jones because she is an inspiration due to the obstacles she overcame to become one of the best hurdlers in the world.
If you had a choice of being All-State in cross-country or valedictorian of your class, what would you choose?
My grades are very important to me and I would love to be valedictorian, but I would rather be All-State in cross-country. Running is my passion, and I work very hard to be the best runner I can be.
Do you have any prerace rituals?
I pray, hydrate, eat light and warm up.
Tell me something most people don’t know about you.
I have a passion for working with adults and kids with special needs.
How did you develop that passion?
I developed it after volunteering in a Bible class for special needs adults at my church. Over the summer, I volunteered at Ride On Center for Kids in Georgetown. ROCK is a nonprofit organization that provides horse-assisted activities and therapies to people with disabilities. I was a “sidewalker” which meant that I walked beside the horse and helped keep the rider in place on the horse.
Has cross-country taught you any life lessons?
It has taught me to push myself further than I ever thought possible. I have learned to trust my fitness and training.