Former Brownstown Central runner Paige McKain runs at Anderson University this past fall.
Submitted photo
Paige McKain poses with a medal after one of her races at Anderson University this past fall.
Submitted photo
Brownstown Central’s Paige McKain races in the semistate meet at Eagle Park in Brown County, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.
Tribune file photo
Adjusting to college life can be difficult for some people, especially when balancing studies with athletics.
But that hasn’t been the case for former Brownstown Central Brave Paige McKain.
McKain just finished up her first semester at Anderson University, and the freshman had a great time studying nursing and running cross-country.
At the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference meet, McKain placed sixth overall with a time of 24:14.5.
It was McKain’s fastest 6K time of the season, and she was the top finisher on her team and had the second-fastest freshman time en route to making the HCAC all-conference team.
“I was really happy with my season,” McKain said. “I finished sixth at conference and there was only one freshman ahead of me, so I was excited about that. I was just really happy with how that went overall.”
Being the second-fastest freshman in all of the HCAC in the meet gives McKain something to work toward for the next three years.
“It definitely gave me a lot of aspirations knowing that one day that I could win that conference,” she said. “I really trust my coach and believe that she can get me there.”
When McKain committed to Anderson during her senior year at Brownstown, she expected to come in and run varsity, but she didn’t expect to have as much success as she did this early.
“Coming in, I expected to be one of the top runners, but I didn’t expect to be number one or two,” she said. “Overall, I was just really surprised and happy with how the season went.”
McKain and the Ravens also got to compete in the NCAA D-III Great Lakes Regional in Holland, Michigan. It was a snowy and cold day in November, but McKain ran a 24:29.2 to place inside the top 150.
She said regional was a great experience for her and the team.
McKain, who was the top runner for the Braves one year ago, ran a 5K PR of 21:26.9 during one race at Anderson this fall.
“I actually like doing the 6K better than the 5K,” she said.
The extra 1K wasn’t much of a difference for McKain when it came to running in college. The biggest adjustment for her was being more attentive to what you need to do off the course to stay ready.
“Keeping each other accountable, making sure we’re eating correctly, getting enough sleep,” she said. “It’s more aspects outside of running that we focus on.”
McKain also said she had no issues balancing her nursing major with all the time she spends training. Her coaches and teammates are very accommodating if conflicts arise.
The freshman Raven enjoyed the team environment created in Anderson.
“The team was so supportive,” she said. “We talk a lot about race strategies, just quick, little things, just encouraging each other and helping each other. It’s really more about the team than individuals.”
As her cross-country season came to an end, McKain’s attention has now turned to track and field season this spring.
The indoor season with Anderson will start in January before the outdoor season begins in the spring when the weather warms up.
McKain plans to run the steeplechase, which is an event she can’t wait to do. Right now, her training is split up between running the distance and then getting with the hurdlers and learning some of those techniques to prepare her for the obstacles that come with the steeplechase.
“I’m super excited,” McKain said. “I’ve always looked up to a lot of athletes that have done it in the past. I’m really excited to be able to do it myself.”
The first indoor track meet for McKain and the Ravens will be Jan. 14 in the Robert H. Johnson Open at Wabash College.