What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race this year was definitely the Bulldog Invitational at Rose Tree Park. The team wound up finishing third place and we had six out of seven girls medal in the varsity race. It was so memorable because that race showed how hard we worked as a team and surprised a lot of people.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I would say that I faced my biggest competition this year in the mile at the Yale Invitational. It was my first race back from injury and those girls definitely did not make it easy.
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Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Being the third fastest female runner in my schools history certainly sticks out the most. A former teammate of mine set the bar high and I’m pleased with how I finished my high school running career.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
If I could go back in time, I would have joined the cross country team earlier and taken running more seriously as an underclassmen.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
This year, I faced many obstacles. With about three weeks left in cross country season, I was showing signs of a stress fracture. I finished out the last couple races and shut it down for a little. After some time off, I jumped right into training for the indoor season. There were many workouts during the indoor/outdoor seasons that I had to cut short which hindered my racing.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my teammates the most, without a doubt. We’ve grown so close this past year and I would be no where without them. I will also miss my coaches and the overall atmosphere at West Chester East.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
I would advise younger athletes to always give their best. As an underclassmen, I didn’t take running too seriously and thought of it more as a hobby. I suggest that all younger athletes set goals and work toward them. Once you start believing in yourself, you can do much more than you ever thought possible.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
My coaches have always told me to work for what I want. My cross country coach, Scott, has always played such a key part in my running and truly helped me understand the sport. I give him all the credit in the world for working with such a crazy group of girls! My coach, Kareem, has always helped me achieve my goals. He was always patient with me and dealt with my complaints and aches. Of course, I can’t forget about Coach Costin or Coach Stephen. Both coaches have taught me to give my all in each race and leave everything on the track. I ran every race with that in mind and I can’t thank my coaches enough for their constant support over the past four years.
What are your college plans?
I will be continuing my running career at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
Shout-Outs?
I have to give a few shout-outs. To Elizabeth Dougherty, thank you for being the best friend and running partner imaginable. I will miss our long runs together and I know you will do great things next year. To the cross country girls, I wish you nothing but the best throughout the rest of your high school careers. I know you will all do incredible and it was such an honor getting to run with all of you. To my coaches, thank you for dealing with my complaints and helping me accomplish things I never thought imaginable! To my parents, thank you for your unconditional love and support. Without you, I would be no where and I’m extremely lucky to have you two as parents! Also, a special shout-out to the Great Valley girls team. I could always tag along for a run with them and it was great getting to run with such a great and talented group of girls.
Best of luck,
Kayla Jones