Name: Leah Trusty
High school: Greer Middle College Charter
Event PRs - 5K (rankings): 19:23, 3200 (rankings): 12:06, 1600 (rankings): 5:32
Hobbies: Baking, reading, and spending time with friends and family
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was my last XC race at the State Meet. I had a career-best fifth-place finish and my team won its first state championship
How have you handled the suspension of the 2020 outdoor season?
I was upset at first but I have continued to train as if the season was still going on.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Winning a team state championship in cross country this past season.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would have trained more during the summer and offseason.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
This is an easy one to answer. I tore my ACL and meniscus a week before the State Qualifier my sophomore year. I had to have reconstruction surgery in May and spent the entire summer and my junior XC season in physical therapy. I learned that I was much stronger than I thought that I was and worked very hard to come back stronger and faster.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my teammates and going to eat after meets with Coach Smith and the team.
Watch 2020 Dorman Distance Carnival races
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Never take your ability to run for granted because you never know when it'll be your last race.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
My coaches have always believed in me and showed me that I could compete at the next level if I worked hard every day.
What kind of impact did your family have on your time as a high school student-athlete?
My parents never missed a meet and they were always there to cheer me on and they were proud of me no matter what the outcome of the meet was.
What are your college or post-high school plans?
I plan to continue my running career at Anderson University where I will be majoring in nursing.
What do you hope to achieve after high school?
After high school, I hope to continue to become a better runner. I also want to make an impact on other people's lives by becoming a nurse after college.
Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Please explain and if so, what level and why?
I don't really see myself coaching as of right now but who knows maybe one day!
Shout-outs?
I would like to give a shout out to my mom for always believing in me and inspiring me to start running at such a young age. I would also like to give a shout out to my physical therapist who pushed me harder than anyone ever has and made me a better runner after tearing my ACL.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
I want to travel the world one day and make a difference in people's lives.
