Daniel's Caroline Schell talks about what's next and a look back at her track and field journey as a Lion in this week's salute to seniors for the class of 2024.
"Enjoy the time you have because it goes very fast. Also, put in the time and the work because it truly does pay off." - Caroline Schell
Personal bests: 400m 60.9, 4x400m 4.03.90, 4x100m 49.06
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was my very last 4x4 at the state championship this year.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I don't think I would change a thing. I truly enjoyed every second of it with my teammates and coaches.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I tore my patellar tendon in my right knee and ran my sophomore season with it torn before I had surgery. It was a tough season dealing with a lot of pain. After surgery I dealt with a rough nine month recovery before I was 100% again.
What advice do you have for younger athletes?
Enjoy the time you have because it goes very fast. Also, put in the time and the work because it truly does pay off.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
Coach Wichelns, our head girls track coach, encouraged me each and every practice and meet to take advantage of every opportunity I was given and to give my all in every race. His coaching and leadership have taught me how to be a strong leader even in difficult situations and he has shown me how important it is to finish everything strong and give 110% in all that I do whether it be on or off the track. Coach Wichelns always strived to be the best and it has rubbed off on me and every single one of my teammates. He always believed in us and made sure that we knew it, which not very many coaches do. He reminded us daily and even multiple times at practice how much potential we had which I believe led to a season filled with countless pr's for everyone. I truly think that this is why we won state in the 4x400 this year and why we performed so well as a team even when no one thought we would, especially when we won region by so many points and ended it all as state runner ups - only six points away from the state title.
He told me every season that I had the potential to be a state champion and I'm proud to say that I was able to accomplish that in my most favorite race and me and my girls definitely couldn't have done it without him.
What kind of impact did your family have on your time as a high school student-athlete?
Even though they didn't know the most about track when I started, my parents came and cheered me on every single race that I ran in whether it was at Daniel or three hours away, day or night. They sat through countless all day meets just so that I knew I was always supported. My dad pushed me to always be the best that I could be and pushed me to be a strong competitor. I'm thankful for their commitment to me and this sport and how much they learned so that they could help me reach my full potential during my time.
What are your college or post-high school plans?
I plan to attend Clemson University and major in nursing, and eventually go to grad school.
What do you hope to achieve after high school?
My goal is to become an orthopedic nurse practitioner and work with athletes and help people with similar injuries to my own.
Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Please explain and if so, what level and why?
No not really, but I would love to be around young athletes in some shape or form, mainly through my job in medicine.
Shout-outs?
Shout out to Coach Wichelns for supporting me and encouraging me for the past four seasons as well as my 4x100 and 4x400 teammates.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
If there was one thing in the world that I could do, it would be to help as many high school students as possible get involved in track and field and this amazing sport. It most definitely changed my life and taught me some of the most valuable lessons I've learned in my short 18 years and I've made life long friendships from it that I will always cherish. It taught me how to work hard and lead which I think is really important and that everyone should learn , and track is the best way to do it.
"It most definitely changed my life and taught me some of the most valuable lessons I've learned in my short 18 years and I've made life long friendships from it that I will always cherish."
