Alyssa Rudawsky – Garnet Valley HS
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was the Penn Relays 4x800 Championship of America this past 2013 season. My teammates and I always dreamed of racing in a Penn Relays Championship race, so missing it by 3 places in 2012 was devastating. We knew though this past year that we deserved to be in that race, so we ran out of our minds. We ended up placing 7th overall and brought in a PA #3 time. I’ve never been so nervous to run a 4x8 in my entire life, but it was so much fun and I’ll never forget it!
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I believe that I faced my biggest competition in every race. Delaware County and District 1 have unbelievable talent in every event so there was always someone to race. It was extremely rewarding to be able to place high and medal in meets with such competition. I’m thankful to have been a part of Delco and District 1 because it has made me a better and stronger competitor.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
My biggest accomplishment was being able to race strong throughout my entire high school career and run my best times my senior year. I captured my fastest times in the 5,000 meters for cross country, my 800 meter split on the 4x800 relay, and the 1,600 meters. Being able to run PRs in all those events and break the school records for them was the best way to end my high school career. It showed me that all of my hard work was really paying off and what I put into the sport for four years was giving me amazing results.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
If I could change anything, I wish I would have appreciated every single moment of the short four years of high school running. Freshman year I thought it would go by so slow, but before I knew it I was running in the Outdoor State Championships, the very last race of my high school career. Instead of wishing I didn’t have to go to practice or praying I would sprain my ankle so I didn’t have to run a race, I should have cherished those moments more because I’ll never get those years back.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacles I had to overcome were the slight injuries I had during the beginning of the indoor season and a little bit of the outdoor season. It threw me off mentally, which didn’t help because I’ve already had issues with my mental strength. It was hard to see my teammates practicing together and racing strong while sitting on the side and not being able to join them. It made me tough though because I worked so hard to get back on track and my hard work really did pay off.
What will you miss the most?
I’ll definitely miss my teammates and my coaches the most. I was lucky to have built amazing relationships with all of my coaches so to not run under them next year will be weird. I’ve also become best friends with a lot of my teammates so it’s going to be hard not seeing them at practice every day and not competing with them.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
The best advice I have for younger athletes is you get out what you put in. Yeah, you’re going to face some workouts and races that leave you questioning why you put yourself through such pain, but it’s all worth it in the end. You will see the results you work towards and it will only make you a stronger, better person and athlete.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
My coaches have taught me to never doubt myself. They knew I was capable of things I never thought I’d be able to achieve, so they pushed me and pushed me to help me accomplish so much in four years. I did things that I never thought I’d be able to, and the first people to thank for that are my coaches.
What are your college plans?
Next year I will be attending North Carolina State University with an undecided major. At NC State I will continue my cross country and track career and I’m beyond excited to join such a talented team. Go wolfpack!
Shout-Outs?
Coach Terry, Wess, and Tang – thanks so much for putting up with me at every practice and every meet and thank you so much for helping me accomplish things I would never have thought I would accomplish!
My teammates – thanks so much for pushing me at practice and during races, for all your support, and for the friendships we made!
My mom and dad – thank you so much for coming to every race and supporting me in everything I do, I loved hearing your voices over the crowd!
My grandparents – thanks for the constant support and love, I couldn’t have done it without you guys!
Unionville team – thanks for pushing me and making me such a strong runner and competitor!
My 4x8 teammates Liz, Katie, and Skyler – I couldn’t imagine being on a relay with anyone else, you guys pushed me every day and I’ll miss you guys so much!
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