“I didn’t realize it was real, it was like a high feeling, like all stress and worry was gone,” said sophomore Victoria Clinton who became a state champion the first weekend in November.
Clinton finished her three mile race in 16:56, that’s an average of a little over a five minute mile pace.
“This year I wanted to be in top five for state, so winning really helped with my race confidence, knowing that I can run better,” Clinton said.
Clinton is on a triathlon team, so doing well in state was a good for her triathlon career also. “I wanted to have a safe season and just show up to have fun, and it seemed to have paid off,” Clinton said, “Our girls team has worked very hard this year and the boys are just incredible,”
Clinton says that varsity coach Doug Ecker is easy going but gives the needed support and helps with confidence during the race.
“I didn’t realize it was real, it was like a high feeling, like all stress and worry was gone.”
Ecker said “I am very proud of Clinton and the whole girls cross country team for all of the goals they accomplished this season, and I am very happy for Victoria and her family,”
“I always wish the injuries and them getting sick would not happen but that is part of the sport. It teaches them to deal with adversity which is one of the lessons all athletes learn from being in a sport that they can apply to real life situations,”
According to Ecker the key to success is talent, dealing with setbacks and learning from them. A hard, smart work ethic and perseverance, you have to enjoy what you do.
“Clinton winning state will not change her at all. She will set new goals for herself and move on, I hope it is one more thing that helps the KHS students to develop pride in their school. The students at Kaneland do a lot of good things and a better job needs to be done to make those things known to the KHS student body and community,” Ecker said.