Senior Natalie Harrison, who has ran cross country since 6th grade, expresses what it is like to be dedicated to such a challenging sport.

Harrison discovered that she was a skilled runner at the Rutherford Elementary Field days. Even with asthma, she has continued to run for the past six years.

“I won all of the events at my 6th grade field games, that is when I figured out I was a good runner, so I quit gymnastics and dance and started running,” said Harrison.

Harrison does not let asthma bother her, she keeps her inhaler in her sports bra every race in case she gets an asthma attack. She has not let her difficult situation affect her passion for running.

“My asthma gets worse in the spring because of my allergies. That’s why I don’t go out for track,” said Harrison.

Motivation and perseverance is  key when running cross country and enduring the harsh weather. The season consists of the outdoor conditions ranging from temperatures at almost 100 degrees to being cold enough to snow. Harrison has taken on this challenge,  and has the motivational support from her family and her coach Mrs. Dawn Podolske, an Oak-Land Junior High math teacher.

“Mrs. Podolske has really been there for me; she’s really stuck with me through it, really motivating me. She is tough, but a great coach,” said Harrison.

“Natalie has been very dedicated. She has been a part of the team since 9th grade and comes day in and day out. She’s really dedicated and motivates me to work hard in races as well in practice,” said senior Grace Mikutowski, the captain of cross country team.

Harrison’s biggest accomplishment over the past six years was placing 12th in a race and receiving a metal. Her goal for her senior year is to stay healthy and fit.

“Another one of my goals is not to slack off during the last year I have to run, and I know the tendency of high schoolers being lazy throughout their high school years. I am really going to try to stay fit and keep up with what I have been doing the past six years,” said Harrison.

After running for such a long time, it has come to a point in Harrison’s life when she must decide whether or not to continue her running career.

“The goals for the rest of the year is to make it through senior year. I have been accepted to Viterbo University. I am thinking about joining the cross country team there, but I am debating it because it is very competitive to get into the nursing program there, so I’m going to see how my studies go,” said Harrison.