We talk with Shannon Forest's Ansley Karr for the first salute to seniors from the class of 2022.
Name: Ansley Karr
High school: Shannon Forest
Event PRs:
Long jump- 16'7
400- 65.87
200- 27.90
4×100- 52.34
4×400- 4:23:98
Hobbies: Hiking, singing and drawing
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My 4×100-meter relay race at state my freshman year when me and my teammate almost missed our handoff and I had to completely stop in the handoff zone. We still won first place.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Jumping over three times my height at 16'7 by the end of high school.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would have tried out pole vault.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Trying to learn how to best pace myself for success in the 400.
"Do not take any of your sports season for granted because it goes by quicker than you would think, and don't let your time be wasted away by fear." - Ansley Karr
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my coaches, being part of a team where I got to support my teammates, and the competitive nature that came along with being an athlete.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Do not take any of your sports season for granted because it goes by quicker than you would think, and don't let your time be wasted away by fear.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
Their confidence and trust in my abilities pushed me to believe I could accomplish great things with full confidence as well. Their influence has made a goal of mine to be personable and loving with whoever I come in contact with in the future.
What kind of impact did your family have on your time as a high school student-athlete?
My parent's support encouraged me to try my hardest. Doing track with my siblings on the same team was helpful because they were able to calm my nerves.
What are your college or post-high school plans?
I am attending Clemson University and hoping to receive a Bachelors or Masters in Architecture.
What do you hope to achieve after high school?
I hope to continue doing everything in my life to the best of my ability and be intentional with people and in all I do, not letting my academic success, athletic success and character in high school be the only place where I have positively impacted others.
Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Please explain and if so, what level and why?
I have considered coaching either gymnastics, swimming, or track in the future because I enjoy seeing how much better people are by the end of the season through being shaped by their failures and successes along the way. I am not sure if I would do it full time or not.
Shout-outs?
Stowe thank you for having so much confidence in my ability to PR more and more throughout all of high school. It truly pushed me to go above and beyond when I was in a race or going to jump. Thank you Mrs. Gainey for talking me through my nerves before a race, you really helped me realize I didn't have to be fearful during my competitions.
If there was one thing in the world I could do, what would it be and why?
I would encourage all people to love who they are and to share that love with others.
