Salute to seniors: Southside Christian's Caitlyn Raber

In the eighth grade we were running one of those weird relay meets at Hillcrest and it was freezing, but in the middle of the 4x1600 we were running and all of the sudden it started snowing and we had to run the whole race in the snow. 

Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?

Winning state with my team freshman year. 

I have had to over come a lot, but honestly I wouldn't want to change anything. My setbacks have made me into the runner I am today and if it weren't for my trials I would never have had to work as hard as I did. I would never have realized how much I really love running if it wasn't taken away from me. 

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

Where do I start... I have had three hip surgeries in the past two years. The first time it my hip surgery was in the summer so I was recovering in time for cross country season. I had started running and my team really needed me to be able to compete at the state meet so I entered a few races and would run half of them and walk the other half because my hips were not ready to run a full 5k yet and definitely not at race pace. I got cleared to race the week of the state meet. MY junior year cross country state meet was the first time I had run three miles and I some how over came the adversity and not only finished the race, but finished within 10 seconds of my PR. My next two hip surgeries were during the fall and winter of my senior year. I was back running again in time for track, but I was unable to race and compete until about half way into the season. I worked hard, very hard and I managed to qualify for upper state in 4 events and for state in three. 

What will you miss the most?

I will miss my team mates and my competitors. You obviously build close relationships with the people you train with every day, but some of my best friends are from out rival schools. Something about running forces you to make friends with the people you are about to race. I will definitely miss the friends I have made competing over the years. 

Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Always work hard in practice. Its hard after school to come to practice and really give your best, but it is so worth it in the end. when you see all your hard work begin to pay off it is so rewarding. 

They have helped me realize how much I enjoy the specifics and the knowledge of how to train and eat right. they have taught me hard work and perseverance. if I have the mind set of a champion that is all that matters. 

What kind of impact did you family have on your time as a high school student-athlete? 

My dad was a big athlete in high school and college so he was always a constant encouragement, but my mom is rather computer savvy and she was always running statistics and doing the numbers and helping me to know exactly what I needed to do to do well. Her love for track was so encouraging to me. 

What are your college or post high school plans?

I am going to Clemson University to study Biological Sciences. I plan on being a physical therapist or a physicians assistant. 

What do you hope to achieve after high school? 

I really want to try out for the Clemson track team and walk on their. My dad was a two sport athlete for Clemson so it has always been a dream to run for them.

Mary Chandler from my school and Bailey Mullins from St. Joseph's. they have been huge in my life.