PA Salute To Seniors: Kaitlin Poiesz - Central Bucks South HS
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race is the PIAA state championships this year where we won the 4x8 and set the all time state record! That race is what Alexa, Brianna, Amber and I have been working towards all year so being able to achieve our goal of becoming state champions was an indescribable feeling. It was also really cool to break the state record because Alexa and I ran in the race at states our freshman year when Henderson broke the state record. Thanks to Natalie Deacon and her teammates for stopping by!!
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I faced my biggest competition in all of our championship meets actually. The Suburban One League is probably one of the most competitive in the state, with many state champions coming out of it. It is awesome to be able to compete against some of the best at a simple dual meet each week. The District meet always provides really good races as well due to the insane amount of talent in District one! And of course, the state championships, where anything could happen on any given day.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Besides outdoor states my senior year, I would have to go with 2014 Penn Relays. My relay had set our goal of qualifying for the 4x8 Championship of America in the beginning of indoor. My junior year, we were one place out of qualifying so that was sitting in the back of all of our minds. We smoothly advanced to the COA the next day and ended up placing 5th, which was awesome! It was the first time the four of us ran the 4x8 together since Indoor Nationals so seeing all of our early spring training come together was an overwhelming feeling.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I don’t think I would change anything. Everything didn’t go perfectly and I had bad races but in the end I achieved basically everything I wanted to achieve. I can look back on the past four years and be more than satisfied with what my teammates and I have done to leave our legacy at South.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I pulled my hamstring in the middle of the cross country state championship during my senior year. This was the second year something like this happened to me so being able to mentally and physically stick it out was really tough when the rest of the team was beginning the indoor season.
What will you miss the most?
I will definitely miss my teammates and coaches the most. They are all amazing and we have grown so close over the past four years. My teammates and I never stopped pushing each other and believing in each other. They have supported and encouraged me in every workout and race. My coaches pushed me right to the edge, but at the same time reminded me what it was all for. They encouraged me to never stop dreaming.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Enjoy every second of it. I know the feeling of finishing school and being completely exhausted and wanting to go home to sleep. But trust me, when it’s over you are going to miss it more than you could imagine. Live in each and every moment of your practices, whether it is a 10 mile run or a fast workout. High school track is over before you know it.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
I was lucky enough to be able to spend the last four years with my Dad as my coach, which was an amazing experience. He put so much time and energy into coaching the distance team. He has built who my teammates and I are today and taught us so many life lessons. Sometimes it’s not just about that one race that day, but it’s about the overall picture and keeping the end goal in mind. Each day I worked for that dream we had together and I couldn’t have done any of it without him. Love you!!
What are your college plans?
I will be attending La Salle University where I will be running track and cross country. I will be studying nursing. Go Explorers!
Shout-Outs?
To my parents- Thanks for being there every step of the way and for every bump in the road. I wouldn’t be the student, athlete, and person I am today without you two!
To my coaches- Thanks for putting up with me every day at practice or at those long Saturday invites. You have pushed me to be my best and I couldn’t thank you all enough.
To my crazy teammates- I could always count on you guys to make me laugh or roll my eyes at your stupid jokes (s/o to Mady Scarafone and Lindsey Quinn). I’ll miss you guys so much next year!
And finally, shout out to my sisters, relay mates, fellow four leaf clover collectors, and best friends, Alexa, Amber and Brianna- You guys have made my high school track career the best experience of my life and I could never thank you enough. I wouldn’t want to be at the track at 7AM on a Saturday to do all out 600’s and 300’s with anyone else (and then go to the invitational). Running in our little pack is something I miss already and I can’t imagine going to college without you three next year. You have supported me through everything and made me work harder than I ever have. I wouldn’t have wanted to live this amazing dream with anyone else. #megancosgrove Love you guys! P.S. Amber and Brianna- I can’t wait to watch you two kick each other’s butts next year!
Thanks for everything PA!
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