Freshman Reflects on Running Varsity

Written by Phoebe Aguiar
It’s overcast and the clouds look heavy with rain. Even with the clouds, it’s unusually warm for February. This is the perfect weather to run long distance. That doesn’t change the fact that freshman Hannah Arnspiger is nervous as she stands on the football field with her 4×800 team. She’s nervous this is her first track meet and she doesn’t have the usual luxury that most freshmen have. No expectations.
She is the only freshman not just in her relay, but on the varsity track team this year. She has never raced on a track and apart from her cross-country season, Arnspiger has never run competitively.

“I enjoy running but its hard sometimes,” Arnspiger said. “The biggest reason I run xc/track is because of the people and the coaches.”

Track is an individual sport, although the team and coaches play a major role in Arnspiger’s performance and her development as not only an athlete, but also a person.

“I love the coaches and my teammates,” Arnspiger said. “It is a great support system, and I have made lifelong friendships and amazing!”

She didn’t start running regularly until the being of the cross-country season this year, where she made varsity, eventually going onto compete at state. She has to stay focused and keep herself healthy in order to perform at her best.

” When I’m about to run I have to get really focused. I focus on staying healthy and getting warmed up,” Arnspiger said.

Running isn’t all just physical to Arnspiger, it’s also mental. She has to keep herself mentally prepared to race.

Arnspiger tries to keep herself happy and not be too stressed about the race. She works with her teammates to get herself and them ready to compete.

” We try to relax and get a good attitude because that helps us have confidence and then we do our best,” Arnspiger said.

Arnspiger ran in her first track meet on February 26, and placed fifth in the two-mile and her relay finished third. There were only four schools, but they had to compete against some of the best runners in the state.
Despite Arnspigers limited experience, she was dissatisfied with her performance. She believes she can still improve, and help her team.

“My performance wasn’t the best but I was proud for the team and it was a good start to the season,” Arnspiger said.