Catching Up with the Top Returners 2014 - Lainey Studebaker

Lainey Studebaker

School:   Centerville

Gradation: 2016

2013 OHSAA State Cross Country Championships:  D1 3rd Place (18:30.53)

Centerville's Lainey Studebaker was third in last year's D1 OHSAA State Cross Country Championships with a time of 18:30.53.  She is the #2 D1 gir'ls returner.  On the track, she was 2nd last spring in the 1600, running a 4:58.88.  In XC, as a Freshman, she was 34th at State (18:50.62).

 

Best time in a 5K race and in which meet?

18:02 at the 2013 Regional meet in Troy, OH

Tell us how your summer training is going?

Training has being going well! Track went longer because of New Balance Nationals but I am back into the swing of things and really excited for the upcoming season.

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

Coming into this season I want to run consistently always trying to run the best for my team. I want to stay healthy and help bring my team to whole new heights.

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

I have been running on a team since 7th grade. I got started with running when my parents signed me up for the Centerville XC camp for elementary school kids when I was little! Also, my dad ran in HS and college which inspired me to want to do the same.

Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?

Yes, I plan on going to the Palatine Invitational in Chicago, Illinois, also the Nike Cross Regionals meet in Terra Haute, Indiana, and possibly Footlocker, but my coaches and I will discuss that more so after the state meet.

What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?

My favorite course to run in Ohio is probably the Regionals course in Troy. It is the perfect course to be able to feed off the energy of the spectators and run your best.

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 give 100% every meet because each race is just as important as the last. It allows me to learn things about myself mentally and physically to keep improving. Obviously post season meets are the most important part of the season, but every meet leading up are great learning experiences to help me run my best when it really counts.

What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?

My favorite cross country race so far is Regionals 2013. This was my favorite race due to the fact that I set a personal best, individually I was regional runner-up in a very competitive field, and I was able to celebrate the regional team title with my teammates. This was a moment that was a little unexpected that day and just made that race that much more special

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

What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?

I don’t really like to listen to music while I run but Burn by Ellie Goulding and Top of the World by Mike Posner are both on my running/pump up playlist.

What professional athlete would you most like to meet?

Jordan Hasay

What is something that most people don’t know about you?

I have a crazy amount of pre-race rituals including handshakes, writing stuff on my hands, listening to certain songs, packing up my bag to go to the meet a certain way, and much more!