Who To Watch in North Carolina

 

 

 

Cole Rains

T.C. Roberson HS

2012

 

Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?

My PR is 15:47 on McAlpine at the 4A West Regional Meet.

 

Tell us how your training is going?

My goals are to help lead my team throughout the season and improve on our 3rd place finish from last year's State Meet. Individually, I hope to drop my 5k time and place in the top spots at the State Meet.

 

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

I started running freshman year because I wouldn't have been able to make the soccer team and my Dad has run for most of his life, so I thought I'd try it.
 

 

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

I started running freshman year because I wouldn't have been able to make the soccer team and my Dad has run for most of his life, so I thought I'd try it.

 

Will you be competing out of state this season?

Yes, we go to the Eye Opener Meet in South Carolina.

 

Favorite course to run in North Carolina?

I like running on McAlpine since it's relatively flat and the course stays on a wide trail almost the whole time.

 

Toughest course in North Carolina?

Our County Meet held at Christ School is tough compared to the other courses we race on all season because it's filled with hills and tight turns.

 

What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?

The West Regional Meet is probably my favorite since it's cool outside by that time in October and is held on McAlpine for us.

 

Favorite Cross Country memory?

Placing 3rd as a team at the 4A State Meet last year.

 

When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?

Just relax and watch TV.

 

Favorite quote?

"I think it's gonna be an awesome/great day."   -Coach Hovis

 

 

Kaitlyn Kramer

Ardrey Kell HS

2012

 

Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?

My best 5k time is 17:55 from Footlocker South Regional in 2009.

 

Tell us how your training is going?

My summer training is going really well! Our team built up long, slow mileage, and now we are incorporating faster workouts into our training. Our weekly mileage is in the mid 50s to low 60s, which is the highest we will be for the summer. I feel like I have had good training, especially because my team has found new places for us to run together. We also had good runs in the mountains at cross country camp.

 

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

My main goal for the season is to get a PR because I didn’t last year. I also want to stay injury free and finish higher at the state meet individually and as a team. We have had some good workouts and will hopefully see a lot of improvement this year.
 

 

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

The first time I ran a timed mile was in 6th grade. My school had a “Mighty Miler” list that I was determined to make. The only running I did then was in gym class and I didn’t make it onto the list. I joined the track team in 7th grade and then did track again in 8th grade, but during middle school I only ran during the season. I started running more as a freshman, because there were more running seasons and people to run with throughout the year.

 

Will you be competing out of state this season?

 No, we will remain in the state this season.

 

Favorite course to run in North Carolina?

My favorite course to run is McAlpine. It has a bad reputation because it is a really fast course, but I like it because I know it so well. It’s my home course and I practice there frequently because it’s a comfortable place for me to run.

 

Toughest course in North Carolina?

I thought Wake Med was a tough course when I ran the Wolfpack Invitational there sophomore year. I also thought State Farm course was tough.

 

What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?

My favorite race so far in high school was the Wendy’s Invitational last year. The weather was amazing and the race was on my home course, so I knew it very well. I think that was the best I have ever felt during a race. We pulled together and did really well as a team.

 

Favorite Cross Country memory?

My favorite cross country memory is from the regional meet my sophomore year. It was the first time the team qualified for state and it was really exciting. My friend’s mom videotaped the announcement of the scores and I enjoy going back and watching our reactions.

 

When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?

Outside of running I enjoy swimming and hanging out with my friends and family.

 

Favorite quote?

“However fast you’re running, run faster.” Coach Newton, Long Green Line