Name: Shamia Thompson
Hobbies: Photography, viola, running, and clothes designing
Academic interest: Biology and Pre-med
Personal bests: 5K (19:29.38), 800 (2:34), 4X800 (2:28), 1600 (5:45)
What does it mean to be named to the Shrine Bowl Run team and helping the hospital?
It’s a blessing to be able to do my two favorite things at the same time. Running is my passion, everything I do revolves around running and always trying to get faster. On the flip side helping others is my growing passion. I aspire to be a doctor someday just so I can help patients and make them feel better. So being on the Shrine Bowl team and being able to help the hospital makes me proud because it’s like I’m ahead of the doctor game and already beginning to help people.
What did you hear about the Shrine Bowl Run before this year?
My coach told me that it was an amazing privilege to be on the team and only those that work hard and remain determined end up participating.
What do you hope to experience on Dec. 20?
I hope to meet all kinds of amazing runners and maybe make a few new friends that I’ll keep in touch with. I’d like to meet those who organized the Shrine Bowl and thank them a hundred times for such an amazing opportunity. Lastly, I’d like to meet some of the patients in the hospital and let them know that they are appreciated and that they are one of a kind people.
How are you preparing to run with a football?
We have begun track season conditioning and so, on the speed work days I have been running with a football.
How would you rate your senior season?
I have tasted success by breaking twenty and now I have a desire to taste victory and break 19. On a scale of one to 10, a 10 and then some.
What future goals do you have?
I wish to graduate undergraduate school with a PR of 16:00. I plan to pursue medical school in order to become a successful doctor and I hope to continue to change lives one step at a time.
Have you made the decision to compete at the next level? Please explain.
Yes, because I couldn’t imagine life without running. I knew I wanted to run in college when my high school cross country season ended and I didn’t want it to end, I didn’t want my two weeks off, I just wanted to run more and more. I wish to run and never stop. I plan to run in undergrad college and once that's over I wish to train for many marathons throughout my adulthood.
How did you get involved with the sport and when?
I originally started running my freshman year, track season. I was new to running and someone asked me would I rather run fast and short or long and fast. I said long and fast because I have time to catch up. I finished track season with decent times and the distance runners were very nice to me and they all told me how cross country was better than track. They weren’t wrong! Running on the road, running on trails, running all over town, I loved it. Of course there were speed work days but I was used to that because of track. My first year of cross country I ended up being the number four girl and during some races the number three girl. My coach kept reminding me how much potential I had. With Coach Moore’s encouraging words and my hard work, by the end of my first season I ended up placing well in Region that year and earning the “all-region” title.
Do you have any relation or know someone that has attended the Shriners Hospital?
I do not. Besides my parents, my family lives in Boston, Mass. and Jamaica.
How have you seen the sport change in the state? Please explain.
Girls cross country has gotten more and more competitive every year. Once upon a time hitting a 20 got you top five at a state meet. Now it takes 18 minutes and 17 minute times to get top five in state.
What was your motivation for your final XC season?
The fact it was my final season! I wanted to leave Irmo with a bang and I wanted to place in all my races to get my name buzzing for colleges to notice me. Plus the better the time, the more a runner feels their hard work is paying off and then they shoot for better. There’s no better feeling than when someone asks me how fast I run and I can say I run a 5K in less than 20 minutes and their mouths drop.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
If there’s one thing I could do, I would make national get-a-long days for every month, once-a-month. It would be a day where everyone was just nice to one another, everyone respected each other and just loved one another. It makes me happy when people can be around each other and just laugh and be friendly. All good vibes, no party poopers.