Mary Kate Vaughn
School: Oakwood
Gradation: 2016
2013 OHSAA State Cross Country Championships: D2 1st Place (18:04.40)
Oakwood Junior Mary Kate Vaughn is the 2013 OHSAA D2 State runner up in 18:09.70. As a Freshman, in 2012, she won the title with a 17:41.57. On the track in 2013, as a Freshman, she was 2nd in the D2 1600 with a time of 5:00.41 and won the 3200 with a 10:45.47.
Best time in a 5K race and in which meet?
17:36 at the Bob Schul Invitational (2013)
Tell us how your summer training is going?
My summer training in terms of running will be nonexistent due to the injuries I sustained during the track season. After taking 4 weeks off I will be able to start swimming for 4 weeks, and hopefully after 8 weeks will be able to return to running. I plan on working very hard in the pool to build as much of an aerobic base as possible and probably won’t race until later in the season.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
My biggest goal for this season is to stay healthy. After having to deal with injuries all of last year, I am really looking to get in a solid year of training so I can get back to running my best. I would also like to have a good race at state, and be in the hunt for the state championship. Post season, I hope to qualify for the NXN and/or Footlocker national race, but it all depends on how the season pans out.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running since I was in seventh grade, and before that I played soccer. My mom is a runner, and enjoyed running cross country and track when she was in high school. I thought running was boring and I loved my soccer team, but my mom convinced me to try cross country and after a week I loved it and knew that running was going to be my sport!
Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
Hopefully, if the season goes as planned, I will be competing at the NXN Midwest and Footlocker Midwest meets after the state meet.
What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
My favorite course is the Alliance course, which is also the course I run at in the district meet. It is a very fast but accurate course, and the race always seems to go by quickly because there is always a lot of people cheering everyone on!
What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
Most of the courses our team runs on are fairly flat, so I haven’t experienced very many of Ohio’s tough courses. From what I have heard, the Mason course seems to be one of the hardest courses. The hardest course we run on is probably the Troy Regional course. It is always windy down by the river, and it is a nerve-racking race because it is the last stop before state.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
Our team always puts extra emphasis on our league meet. We have a strong history of placing high in the meet, and it is the last chance for the entire team to compete together. Our placing at the league meet is also a good indicator of how we will do as a team at districts.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite cross country race so far was probably the state meet my freshman year. The weather was nearly perfect and being able to experience the atmosphere of a state meet for the first time was amazing. I was there with my team and had many family members who came in from out of state cheering me on. I don’t think I fully appreciated what winning a state title meant then, but now that I look back on it, it will be something I will never forget.
Favorite cross country memory?
My favorite cross country memory was at regionals my freshman year when we found out that both the boys and girls teams had qualified for state. We were all so excited to extend the season one more week, and we were excited to have both teams qualify for the first time in many years. After the meet, everyone went to Sake for dinner and we had a lot of fun!
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
When I am not running, I love to spend time with my friends!
Favorite quote?
“Progress is rarely a straight line. There are always bumps in the road but you can make the choice to keep looking ahead.” –Kara Goucher
What shoes do you train in?
Mizuno Wave Inspires
What shoes do you race in?
Saucony Kilkenny XC spikes
What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
I’ve never listened to music while I run!
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
Shalane Flanagan. I got a chance to meet her my freshman year which was amazing, but I would love to get a chance to talk to her! I really liked how she approached her race at Boston this year and it is always fun to watch her run.