Centerville's Lainey Studebaker winning the 2104 D1 OHSAA Girl's Race in a time of 18:09.43.
Lainey Studebaker had an active competitive 2014-2015 year. She won the Girls D1 State XC Championships in her third appearance as she led the Centerville Girl's to the Team Title. In 2012, she was 34th in 18:50.63. In 2013, she was runner up in a time of 18:02.23. She as also the Tiffin Carnival 2014 D1 Girls champion with a time of 18:11.08. She is the #3 girls returner by time and possibly sits in the #2 spot with the #1 girls returner, Medina's Carlee Rhoads, questionable. Last winter Studebaker did not run in the OATCCC State Indoor meet, but whe was 5th in the 1600 in 2013 (5:17.58) and 2nd in 2014 (5:10.98). She won the Spire HS Invitational with a 5:01.23. On the track last Spring, she was 4th in the 1600 with a time of 5:00.02. In 2014, she was 2nd in 4:58.88 and in she was 9th in 5:05.21. She is a hard, dedicated runner. She will definitely be on the podium and just may repeat as the D1 Girl's Champion.
Best time in a 5K race and in which meet?
18:02 at the Regional meet in Troy, OH.
Tell us how your summer training is going?
After a long track season, ending with New Balance Nationals, I am finally getting myself back into XC mode and things are going well!
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
For the upcoming season, I want to take myself to the next level. I am looking to improve upon what I have done and help to make my team better than we ever have been before.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running on a team since I was in 7th grade, but I really
started running when I was very little! My parents signed me up for the
Centerville XC camps for young kids and my dad was always trying to get me to
go on runs.
Will you be competing anywhere out of state?
Yes, I plan on running in the Spartan Invitational up in Michigan, and another meet in NC possibly. I will also be running in the Nike Cross Regional meet in Terra Haute, Indiana, and possibly Footlocker depending on what my coaches and I decide.
What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
My favorite course to run in Ohio is probably the State course. I feel like I know the course extremely well and I feel comfortable and confident there.
What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
There is no specific course that I feel stands out as being significantly harder than the others. In Ohio the level of difficulty is usually determined by the weather. Each course presents unique challenges depending on how wet, windy or hot it is on that day.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
I try to look at all races as being on the same level of importance because every race is another opportunity to see what I am capable of. Obviously, championship season meets (Conference, Districts, Regionals, and State) are extremely important, but all the meets leading up to that are very important as well in order to learn and grow as a runner throughout the season.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite XC race so far is State 2014. After a rocky season, winning State was an amazing experience. It was definitely a surprise for some but for me it was a great validation that anything is possible if I continue to believe in myself no matter what happens. A mantra that I will always keep with me now.
Favorite cross country memory?
My favorite XC memory is getting pumped up for each race on the start line with my entire team. At the start it is easy to see which team is Centerville by all the crazy chanting and dancing!
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
Hang out with my teammates. My team is like my family and I love spending time with them!
Favorite quote?
“Strength does not come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t”
What shoes do you train in?
Adidas Energy Boost.
What shoes do you race in?
Nike Zoom Victory Elite.
What is on your iPod when you go out for runs?
I don’t really like to listen to music while I run but I listen to a lot of Kanye when I want to get pumped up for a run/race.
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
Phoebe Wright or Kara Goucher.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
My favorite animal is a shark!
