-Athlete Name: Cecelia Wallace
-School: Zane Trace High School
-Year of Graduation: 2014
-Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
19:34.00 at Liberty Union Invitational last season
-Tell us how your summer training is going?
Pretty well. I’ve been out of state until recently so I’ve had to do a lot of running on my own, which I found out takes a lot more motivation to condition in the summer by yourself as opposed to with your team at scheduled conditionings!
-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
PR PR PR! I want our entire team to go to state as we have the past two years of my high school career.
-How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I’ve been running for four years and this will be my fifth. I got started in seventh grade when my dad told me I should try running cross country like he used to when he was my age.
-Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
We might compete at Nike Cross Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana after the Ohio season.
-What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
The Saturday Night Lights race at Centerville! It’s at night. You wear glow sticks and it’s a blast.
-What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
I’d say Vinton County High School just because it is our first meet (which is always challenging and for me, disappointing) and it’s very hilly.
-What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
The Piketon Invitational. It’s a large meet and we all know how fast the course goes, and we all want PR’s.
-What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
The Down on the Farm race our coach created for the small schools around ours. She maps out a course on her parent’s farm and we invite a few schools to come run with us. We give out tractor key chains instead of medals!
-Favorite cross country memory?
Hearing our small school’s name called on the loud speaker at Regionals, announcing we were moving on to State. I’ll never forget how happy we all were, the tears, the hugs, and the realization that all our hard work paid off.
-When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
-Favorite quote?
"If you can’t win, make the fellow ahead of you beat the record."
-What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
Songs that make me feel tough. Rap music or upbeat, fast songs. Nothing slow or sad!
-What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
Molly Huddle. I just find it amazing she can devote her entire life to running. It isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle choice. I look up to her and admire her dedication to what she does.