Abington Heights senior Tessa Barrett qualified for states in XC as a freshman and sophomore, and after an eye-opening 17:58 at the 2012 Tennett Invitatonal, she looked destined to challange for a state AAA title. But a mud-fest at the District 2 meet led to an injury, and the opportunity was lost. She bounced back in indoor with a solo 10:02 3k in February. Her 3000 at PTFCA champs was an epic battle with Courtney Smith and Regan Rome - one she ultimately won in a state record 9:47.73. She would go on to take 4th at the Penn Relays 3000 in 9:40, and then 2nd (to Smith) in another battle at outdoor states, going 10:25 for 3200 meters. This year she opened with a stunning 17:26 at Cliff Robbins, and then not only won the Gold Race at PIAA Foundation, but set the course record for the Poop-Out Hill layout in 17:48. And then she followed in the recent spike-prints of Neely Spence and Angel Piccirillo, winning the Foot Locker Northeast Regional.
Indoor:
Entry#6 3/19 | Entry #7 3/30 |
Cross Country:
Entry #1 10/8 | Entry #2 10/17 | Entry #3 11/11 | Entry #4 12/4 | Entry #5 12/29
Tessa Barrett
SR. Abington Heights HS, PA
Journal Entry #3 (November 11, 2013)
Districts and States WITH MY TEAM!
-Hi everyone! Sorry I haven’t written these past few weeks, life has been pretty crazy! Between school, training and cross country meets I feel like I have barely had time to catch my breath! (No pun intended J)
Almost three weeks ago, I had my last high school District Cross Country Championships. This year, we had four seniors (including me), two sophomores and one freshman on the team. We knew we had a chance at winning the District title and qualifying for States, but with such great team competition in our District, we weren’t really sure what to expect.
For the past 4 years, the District 2 meet has been held at Elk Lake High School in Dimock, PA. The course is somewhat difficult; the first mile is fairly flat with only a few slight hills, the beginning of the second mile is mostly down steep hills, but then, after a mile and a half, it’s all uphill. I like the course at Elk Lake though because it prepares us District 2 kids for the hills at Hershey ;).
Anyway, my team’s goal for the AAA race was just to surge off from the starting line and run our best. Our race was slated to begin at 12:40, and we got to Elk Lake around 9:00 AM Wednesday morning (it’s about a 45 minute drive from Clarks Summit).
It was one of the first cold days we’ve experienced all fall; everyone was bundled up in hoodies and sweatpants. It felt like XC weather! We walked the course, did a warm-up jog, some dynamic drills, and very quickly came the time for our race!
Luckily, we were all healthy and ran solid races, winning our District meet! This was a very special experience for me because for the first time, I would be going to the state meet with a team. I would finally get to start off from the line with people I actually knew standing next to me!
Our boys team did well at Districts too, we had two individuals qualify for States, Jacob Ross and Kyle Ouelette. I was happy for them because I knew they really wanted to qualify this year. As for my own race at Districts, I was pretty pleased. I went out a little fast, and I was feeling it on the final hills at the end of the race, but overall, it was a good day and I set a new course record which was pretty cool!
Next up was the state meet. The week and a half between Districts and States always seems so long, and the anticipation for the state meet kept building and building. We got in a few quality workouts before we had to leave for Hershey on Friday. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful when we arrived in Hershey! It was nearly 70 degrees, almost unheard of for Hershey in November!
While we jogged the course, Coach Danoski, our assistant coach, waited in line and bought us T-Shirts. Thanks again, Coach Danoski!
Afterwards, my teammates went to Chocolate World and I headed back to the hotel with my parents. After dinner, everyone just chilled in the hotel rooms for the night. Some of my teammates took ice baths, and I caught up on a lot of homework. I had trouble falling asleep that night, probably because of all the nerves!
The next morning, I woke up around 7 AM, and did a brief shakeout run around the parking lot. My dad stood outside the hotel and waited for me while I ran. I’m really close with both of my parents; as a family, we have been through thick and thin, and they have always been my biggest supporters, and taught me to never give up on my dreams, no matter what life throws at you. I was so glad to have my Dad out there waiting for me while I ran, because I was pretty nervous and his presence always puts me at ease.
After my shake-out run, we had breakfast and left the hotel for the course. Strangely, as nervous as I was the night before, I felt very calm on the drive over. I listened to a few songs on my iPod, but I really tried to just enjoy the moment. This was my last State cross country meet. The last time I would ever race at Hershey, and the last time I would race with my fellow teammates. Instead of being sad, I wanted to enjoy it and savor the moment.
When we got to the course, we watched the A Girls Race, and then part of the AA Girls Race. Congratulations to Marianne for winning the A Girls race; that was an awesome race to watch! Also, Congratulations to Elizabeth Chikotas and Tony Russell, my future teammates, for dominating in the AA Girls race and AAA Boys Race! So proud of you guys!! WE ARE J
Around 10:00, my teammates and I warmed up. Then the time seemed to completely fly by! We headed to the line around 10:45, and did our dynamics before the race started. The race all seems like a blur to me now. The gun went off, and everyone started sprinting. I got in a good position, and followed the leader for about a half mile before settling into my pace.
In hindsight, my first mile was probably a little too fast. I wanted to go out in around 5:20, but I went out much faster than that, probably because of all the adrenaline from the start of the race! I just kept telling myself to focus throughout the race, and attack the hills. I had no idea where anyone else was during the race, because I was trying to stay super focused. It didn’t really occur to me that I was ahead until I got to the bottom of Poop-Out Hill, where my legs were feeling pretty spent. I pushed hard up that final hill, for the final time, and worked down the final straightaway. I honestly could not believe that I had won States, even after I crossed the Finish Line. Winning a state championship in cross country was a dream that had fostered in me Freshman year, but after my health struggles freshman and sophomore year, it seemed unattainable, a far off hope.
As soon as I crossed the line, I saw my Dad and ran over to him to give him a big hug. I was pretty emotional after the race, and I completely lost it when I saw my Mom. We hugged for a good five minutes. Only my parents know the true struggles I have been through, and every day I thank God for blessing me with such wonderful, caring, inspirational people. I’m so proud to call them Mom and Dad. Thanks again for everything guys, I never would have won a State Championship without you, I love you so much!!
Ima you J I want to thank my friends and extended family for all of their support, especially my Aunt Mary Margaret and Uncle Neil, who come to every single one of my League Meets, you guys are the best!
Also, I want to thank all the runners in District 2, thank you for always pushing me in races, inspiring me to do my best, and supporting me in the toughest of times. D2 Represent!! Also, I want to thank Courtney Smith for being an amazing competitor and always motivating me to push harder in races. Good luck Courtney and Unionville at NXN!!
Finally, to all of the underclassmen runners out there, never give up on your dreams. Life isn’t always easy, but always remember to keep your head up and heart open. One of my favorite quotes is “Running is perhaps the greatest metaphor for life, you get out of it, what you put into it.” –Oprah Winfrey: Putting the time into your sport will only result in great things, so keep running PA!
Good luck to everyone who is competing in races in the Post Season, and also Happy Resting to all of the runners who are gearing up for the Indoor Season. J
Read about Tessa's challenges with a rare condition that threatened her running career
