Piper Hensley, Crothersville cross-country, senior
Accomplishments this past week: Hensley helped the Crothersville girl cross-country team advance to regional for the first time. She also became the first female athlete at Crothersville to qualify for a regional in three different sports.
How were you able to perform to your potential this past week?
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“Ella (Plasse) and I ran together in sectional the whole race. If I would get ahead of her by a little, she would catch up and vice versa. This made us work hard to keep up with one another, which ended up working very well. When we got to the third mile mark, we sped up and passed some girls, which we knew would help our team better their chances of making it to regional.”
What did you do well?
“I think I did a good job of maintaining a steady first and second mile pace, then speeding up when the third mile came because I knew other girls would be speeding up while others slowed down and that I needed to pass as many as I could.”
Do you do anything special to prepare?
“Me and my friend, Ella Plasse, who is also on the cross-country team, run together every practice to push each other to do our best.”
Favorite drink: Big Red
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite music group: Fall Out Boy
Favorite book: Any book written by Lemony Snicket
Favorite class: English
Role model?
“Cheryl Nehrt because she always reminds me to never give up and never stop fighting.”
Best advice?
“Work your hardest every practice. Practices might be tough sometimes, but that’s when you really improve.”
A.J. Goecker, Trinity Lutheran cross-country, senior
Accomplishments this past week: Goecker finished fourth overall at the Brown County Sectional. He was the No. 1 individual qualifier.
How were you able to perform to your potential this past week?
“I was able to focus entirely on cross-country since soccer had ended.”
What did you do well?
“I felt like I paced myself really well, and I didn’t let the leaders get out of my sight.”
Do you do anything special to prepare?
“I make sure I get at least 10 hours of sleep the night before a race, and I make sure I drink nine water bottles per day throughout the week to stay hydrated.”
Favorite drink: Apple juice
Favorite food: Chicken quesadilla
Favorite music artist: Post Malone
Favorite book: “It” by Stephen King
Favorite class: Spanish
Role model: Louis Zamperini
Best advice?
“Never cut corners or take the easy way out.”