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Full Name: Chrystal Louisa Haire Date of Birth: Dec. 19, 1987 Brothers/Sisters: One older sister: (Caitlin, 19) Academic Interest: Science (particularly medical science) Hobbies: Running. Reading. Watching movies. Cruising in my car. Being with friends. Sleeping. :) Personal Bests: 18:39 at the Sandhills Invitational (Oct. 15) |
haire: I began running in 8th grade.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to run?
haire: My older sister, Caitlin, ran cross country, and I thought I would give it a try. As the younger sister, I looked up to her, and I liked to follow in her footsteps. I also wanted to get into better shape for basketball season (basketball used to be my favorite sport).
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family run?
haire: My sister, Caitlin, used to run cross country.
scrunners: What other sports did you play prior to becoming a runner?
haire: I was involved in gymnastics for five years. I played basketball for six years, and I played softball for four years.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo this summer?
haire: My father actually went on the Internet and found Northwestern's practice schedule for advanced level girls, and he printed that out for me. I followed their training schedule religiously over the summer. By the end of the summer, I was running nine or 10 miles fairly consistently throughout the week. I ran on both my treadmill and outside.
scrunners: How has your summer training progressed from your first year as a runner?
haire: It has definitely increased in intensity. I did not take cross country seriously in eighth grade. At that time, it was just another sport to add to the list of ones I was involved in. I ran maybe two or three times each week over the summer. Now, I run just about every day during the summer. Cross country has become a huge part of my life. I know now that the hard training I put in during the summer months will help to make me a better runner later on in the season.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp this summer?
haire: No. I originally planned to, but I did not have the time.
scrunners: Explain to the scrunners.com how your 2004 State Championship cross country race unfolded as Westminster Catawba competes in the NCISAA.
haire: My 2004 season started out very rocky. I noticed during the first few races of the season that I was very lethargic, my knees were hurting, I was having breathing problems, etc. We went to the doctor and soon found out that I was severely anemic. My hemoglobin was at a level six, when the normal level is usually 14 or above. The doctor was surprised I was up and walking, let alone running cross country. She quickly put me on iron tablets, which I took three times a day. Within the last couple of weeks of the season, I started feeling much better. Going into the NCISAA state meet, I was not expecting much. I knew that I was still recovering and was not at my best level. I was, however, determined to do my absolute best. I went there with the confidence and the will to do whatever my body would allow. Surprisingly, I walked away from the SAS Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C. as the state champion with a time of 18:47 (a personal record for myself, at the time).
scrunners: How did Westminster Catawba get into competing in the NCISAA instead of the SCISA?
haire: My school joined with the Metro-Athletic Conference (MAC), which are all independent schools in the Charlotte area of North Carolina. And from that, we became members of the NCISAA. It was easier and more convenient for my school to join the MAC, because Rock Hill (where my school is located) is so close to the North Carolina border.
scrunners: How many runners make up the Westminster Catawba girl's team?
haire: Seven girls.
| "My teammates and I frequently talk before and during the season about our goals. Each one of us, of course, sets personal goals. We all strive to break our personal records (PR's). Our girl's team wanted to win the MAC Championships and possibly the NCISAA state championships, but we had to be realistic, because we lost one of our top runners (she switched schools) and our team has a lot of newer runners." --Haire |
scrunners: Based on your summer training, and Westminster Catawba's what goals did you and your team set for the season?
haire: My teammates and I frequently talk before and during the season about our goals. Each one of us, of course, sets personal goals. We all strive to break our personal records (PR's). Our girl's team wanted to win the MAC Championships and possibly the NCISAA state championships, but we had to be realistic, because we lost one of our top runners (she switched schools) and our team has a lot of newer runners.
scrunners: How would you say you and the team have done so far on achieving these goals?
haire: I believe that each member of the team has done his/her part in practice. Each individual strives for excellence and puts forth the effort. We still have a lot of room to improve, but we are a young team. We are building the program, so that in a few years, we will be able to go into the MAC or NCISAA championship and win.
scrunners: How does your training progress as the season comes to a close?
haire: As the season progresses, I increase my training. I try to increase both mileage and intensity. I am aware that it is not smart to push your body too hard, because you do not want to burn out toward the close of the season, so I do allow myself a chance to rest and recuperate.
scrunners: Would you consider yourself a better track runner or cross country runner, why?
haire: A better cross country runner. Why? Because my school does not have a track team. Haha. So I've never run track. I do not know how I would fair as a track runner. :)
scrunners: As a senior, how is college searching going?
haire: It's going well. I've narrowed down my main choices to three universities: Clemson University, Furman University, and Wake Forest University. Choosing a college to attend is a huge decision, but I have been trying to not stress about it too much.
scrunners: Are you looking to run in college?
haire: As of right now, I am trying to decide if I want to run in college or not. I have had offers and have met with several coaches, but I am not quite sure if I want to devote all the time necessary to be a collegiate athlete. I love the cross country programs at Clemson, Furman, and Wake Forest. All three universities have wonderful coaches who really seem to care for their runners and want the best for them.
scrunners: On college visits, what kind of questions have you asked or will ask and what kind of responses have you received?
haire: I have not been on any official visits yet, but I will visit Clemson the first week of November, and I plan to visit with Furman later on in the year. My main questions will deal with the training the athletes receive, the programs and help available to athletes, and how athletes are able to juggle the different aspects of college life along with their running career.
scrunners: As a senior and your state meet coming up soon, what would you like to do this season, as defending champion?
haire: I would love more than anything to be able to go into the state meet and reclaim my title as state champion. Jeff Heinzl, a former teammate of mine, was able to win the state meet two years in a row. I want to follow in his footsteps and do the same. I realize that the competition will be stiff, but I believe that I have put forth the effort this season to hopefully win state again. I would also like to break my best time of 18:39. As my last race of the season, it would be an amazing way to bring the season to a close.
scrunners: How did the 2004 state meet race unfold?
haire: When the race began, I was in the front pack of runners. Throughout the first mile, I fought for a good position and kept passing runners. By the first mile mark, it was just one other girl and I running together for first and second place. I remember running up a long, gradual hill beside that girl and thinking, "If I don't pass her now, I may never get the chance to pass her again." So I quickened my pace and passed her. For the last 1.5 miles, I furthered my lead. I knew at the current moment, I was the first place runner in the race. It was hard for me to even fathom that concept. I did not want to be passed, because I thought it would be devastating to be that close to being a state champion and then have someone else win. I ran as hard as I possibly could and ended up passing the finish line a good 53 seconds before the second place runner, who happened to be my teammate, Kylie McDonald.
scrunners: How would you like to end your tenure as a student,person and athlete at Westminster Catawba?
haire: Currently, I am valedictorian of my senior class, so I would like to be able to continue making good grades, so that I am able to hold on to that title. I feel that as an athlete, there is always room for improvement. I will never reach a point where I will feel as if I cannot improve. There will always be someone better than me, and so I must always strive to work to the best of my potential to achieve higher goals. As a person, I just want to be whom God wants me to be. I am a Christian, and I believe that without God, I am nothing. In fact, my life means nothing if God is not in control, so I want to grow into the type of person that reflects God in her life.
scrunners: What kind of advice do you have to young and future runners about the sport and how to make it a life long activity?
haire: My biggest piece of advice would be to never take a sport too seriously. You must enjoy what you are doing in order to do well in it. If you do not have a passion for something, you cannot expect to achieve great things. It's also important to remember that a lot of cross country is mental. You have to have a positive mental attitude when you are in training and when you are in a race.
scrunners: Does your team have a tradition prior to a meet? How was the tradition established?
haire: The girl's team always huddles together on the starting line and prays. After the prayer, we look to the person on our left, and that is the person we will pray for during the entire race. I love this tradition, because it helps me to focus on the needs of others during a race. It's also comforting knowing that another team member has you in their thoughts and prayers during a race. I cannot remember who started the tradition. We've done this for so long, it's hard to remember.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for training and life?
haire: I am just a very motivated person to begin with. That is one of my personality traits. If I set my mind on a goal, I will do everything in my power to achieve it. Fitness and health are important to me, so that keeps me motivated to continue running, as well.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? If so, what happened and what did you learn from this injury?
haire: I had a stress fracture in my ankle in the eighth grade from running. In the 11th grade, I had severe anemia. This year, I had painful tendonitis in my knee. All three of these injuries helped to humble me. They made me realize that I am not immune to injuries and that life is not always going to go as planned. During my recovery time, I learned to never give up and to ultimately put my faith in God.
scrunners: What kind of cross-training did you do during this time? Or did you take time off?
haire: With the stress fracture, I took the time off, eight weeks on crutches. During my bout with anemia, I kept on training just as hard, because I did not want to show weakness. With my tendonitis, I took one week off from running and practiced biking and walking during my time off.
scrunners: When you were in this injury mode, what kept you motivated to get back on the course, road or track after recovery?
haire: My parents, teammates, and others helped to keep me motivated. They would send me cards and let me know that I was in their prayers.
scrunners: What has been your most challenging race? How did you do in this race? Why was this race your most challenging?
haire: Without a doubt, my most challenging race was the York County Meet at the Anne Springs Greenway last year. That course is a TRUE cross country course. It includes numerous hills, muddy ground, roots, rocks, and two creeks you must run through. I was so afraid that I was going to get hurt running that course. I ended up coming in second behind Tiayonna Blackmon of Fort Mill. That was my first race against the public schools in my area (Northwestern, Fort Mill, Clover, etc.), so I was not sure how I would fair against the other runners. I was pleasantly surprised when I came in second (and also that I didn't get hurt!).
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| Haire will look to defend her NCISAA title on Oct. 28. (John Seay/staff photographer) |
haire: The best race scenario for me is cool weather, no injuries, and a positive mental attitude. This isn't always the case, and when it's not, I'll talk to my parents before a race to get some encouragement. Then I hand my worries over to God and go out there and try my best.
scrunners: What would you say is the most prestigious meet you have competed in?
haire: Either the Spartanburg Eye Opener or the Furman Invitational this past season. I did run in the Footlocker South Regional race my freshman year, but I did not compete in the seeded event.
scrunners: What were you thinking as you stepped to the line for your race(s) that day?
haire: For the Eye Opener, I wasn't expecting to perform well, because I had not practiced the entire week leading up to the race. I was trying to rest my knee due to severe tendonitis. Because I hadn't run in a week, I was extremely anxious to get out there and run. I believe that that is in part why I did so well at that meet. As for the Furman Invitational, I was very motivated going into that race. I knew that if I came in the top 10 in that race, I would be doing exceptionally well. To go there and not perform well was out of the question, so I pushed hard the entire time.
scrunners: Have you ever met a professional athlete? If so, what did you talk to he or she about? Where did you meet this athlete?
haire: I met Gail Devers, an Olympian, during the summer of 2004. Both she and I were carrying the Olympic Torch in Atlanta, Ga., so she was at a banquet that I was attending. I introduced myself, got a picture with her, and told her about my similar passion for running.
scrunners: Where is your favorite place to train?
haire: Honestly, I love to run in my neighborhood, while my dad rides his bike along side me.
scrunners: Do you have a favorite cross-country course? If so, which one and why?
haire: McAlpine Park (Charlotte). It is a relatively flat, fast, and an easy course.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
haire: I look for a coach that is demanding, yet caring. I want a coach that will work me hard, but also knows when enough is enough. I hope and expect a coach to look for effort, determination, and good sportsmanship in me.
scrunners: Do you or Westminster Catawba have any rivals? If so, how did these rivals develop and when do they become the most intense?
haire: Personally, I have no rivals. I view my teammate, (Kylie) McDonald, as competition, and she helps me to always strive to do my best. Our team doesn't really have a rival. Cannon School in Concord, N.C. is our closest competition, so I suppose you could consider them a rival.
scrunners: Have you ever thought about coaching cross country or track in the future? If so, what level and why?
haire: If I have the time, I would love to someday be a high school cross country coach. I want to instill the same love that I have for cross country in others. I also believe that cross country is important in building the character of an individual, and I would like to take part in that process.
scrunners: What do you see happening with running in South Carolina in the future? How would you like to be involved?
haire: South Carolina seems to be really improving in talent over the past few years. I would love for it to continue in this pattern and for South Carolina to become known for its great runners. In the future, I'd like to be a coach to help further mold and improve the talent in this state.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be, why, and how do you see yourself achieving this agenda?
haire: Hm. Tough question. I suppose my biggest lifetime goal would be to go to medical school and become a pediatrician. I love helping people, and medicine is a big passion of mine. I know that with my determination and willpower, I can achieve this goal. :)