MileSplit SC talked with Emma Ashley before her SCHSL State Cross Country Championships about the season and future.
Editor's note: Ashley won the AAAAA division 2 girls cross country state title.
How are you feeling going into the state championships with your qualifier win?
I am feeling really excited! I feel like I have set myself up really well and am prepared for it.
What did you think of the Hilton Field at Fort Jackson course?
I loved the Hilton Field. It was pretty much just long, flat straightaways so it felt like you were flying. Everyone was able to go out really fast in the first mile, and it felt amazing having that flat part of the race to carry on the momentum that I gained on the downhill right before it, especially going into the last mile.
See the 2024 Class AAAAA girls cross country state championships elites performances | 2024 South Carolina girls cross country individual rankings
How is your college decision process going?
I actually just committed to run at the University of South Carolina and couldn't be more excited about it.
What is your state meet week training like?
My state meet week training has been set up with the sole purpose to feel good. I got a solid, final workout earlier this week just to feel good and strong, followed by some mileage, strides to get the legs feeling quick and a pre-meet shakeout on deck for Wednesday.
How would you rate your season overall?
I would rate my season overall a 10/10. I'm really proud of how I have performed this season, being able to PR a couple times and run a lot of course PB's. Not only this but I was proud of how confident and optimistic I was this season because I truly felt like the training I was doing was setting me up for success. Even when I had off days, little issues or even races I walked away disappointed in, I was able to work through it and really stay encouraged about it all. This was also just a really fun season. With it being my senior season, I really made an effort to enjoy all the little things about it, and me and my team had so much fun this year.
"My best word of advice is to not get too caught up in the results of your own performances or others. The biggest lesson that I have learned is that comparison really is the thief of joy and that in a sport like running, you have to just be proud of your own progress and how far you have come." - Emma Ashley
What's your preferred race strategy? How do you adapt if it changes?
I tend to be a frontrunner and just focus on taking mini surges to build back up if I start to fall back or see that the race is progressing differently than planned.
How did you get involved in the sport?
I became involved in running in sixth grade when some family friends started a run club and invited my sister and I to join. We would run only a few days a week and then community road races on the weekends. It was here that I realized how much fun I had on a team with other runners and that I had a talent for it, and decided that I wanted to run on the high school cross country team in seventh grade. The rest is pretty much history.
What is your motivation for now and the future?
My motivation right now is just to be the best version of myself I can be. I was in a much different position last year going into the state meet, so I just keep reminding myself of how grateful I am to be able to run healthy and to the best of my abilities right now, and that prospect is really exciting. In the future I want to focus on that, especially going into collegiate running at such a competitive level. I feel like that is such an amazing opportunity to grow as an athlete and am really looking forward to it.
What do you want to see happen in the sport in the future, and why?
I would love to see more recognition brought to the sport in general, especially cross country. I would also love to see it grow to the notoriety of a lot of other sports at the collegiate level.
What encouragement do you have for younger runners?
My best word of advice is to not get too caught up in the results of your own performances or others. The biggest lesson that I have learned is that comparison really is the thief of joy and that in a sport like running, you have to just be proud of your own progress and how far you have come.
What other hobbies do you have?
I grew up playing softball for years before I transitioned into running, so a lot of my friends are still in the softball world. So I would say a hobby of mine is to go out and play softball just for fun with my friends. I also love team bonding activities with my teammates. We really enjoy going out to eat, having team dinners at the house, and a few of us have even gotten into zumba lately.
Do you have postseason cross country meet plans?
I do not, actually. In past years I have run NXR or the Champs Sports race, but this year with the State meet being a lot later in November than in past years, I'm going to transition straight into base phase training for track season with the goal of getting in some really strong indoor meets soon.
"Emma has been an absolute joy to coach. From the first practice, her work ethic set a standard for the entire team. She always gives her best effort and is constantly positive. Emma's team spirit is unmatched and she can always be found encouraging her teammates. Her commitment to both personal growth and the success of the team makes her an invaluable runner. It's been an honor to coach someone as driven and disciplined as Emma. I am thankful for all she did for Westwood and excited to see her continue her running journey at South Carolina." - Coach Brice Mann on what Emma has meant to the team