 |
| Lewis (#1795) moved to South Carolina from Ohio for the first time in July 2004. |
lewis: When I first joined the team I was still unsure of what my teammates capabilities where, so I really just wanted to be one of the top girls on the team and make a difference on the team when it comes to where we finish in points.
scrunners: What did Midland Valley want to accomplish as a team?
lewis: Our first goal of the season was to post a full team that was committed to showing up at practice. After we figured out what girls would make up our team we wanted to qualify for the state meet and have a good finish at the lower State qualifier.
scrunners: When did you first move to South Carolina?
lewis: I first moved to South Carolina in the middle of July 2004.
scrunners: Prior to running in South Carolina, how was running compared to South Carolina running in your previous hometown?
lewis: Running for a school in South Carolina is a lot different then running for a school in Ohio. In S.C. it does not seem to be as well of a recognized sport so, the competition does not seem to be as intense. A few of the minor rules are different also when it comes to how our jerseys must be. Running State in Ohio for cross country there was a lot more people there and it was more of an exciting atmosphere, and here it was more relaxed and a lot less spectators. Another major difference for cross country would be the weather. I remember a few races we ran in Ohio, through Oct. 7-10, where there was snow or really low temperatures. In South Carolina the weather seems to be a lot warmer for our races and practices.
scrunners: How did your 2005 state cross country meet race unfold?
lewis: The race itself went well. I woke up to a cold and lost my voice the night before for some reason. When I arrived at Sandhills I was just focused on it being my last race. My goal was to finish in the top 15 because it's something I have been aiming for since my freshmen year of high school in Ohio. The whole race I was going back and forth with the same couple of girls. On the last corner before the stretch to the finish I was trying to maintain the eighth spot and it ended up successfully.
scrunners: Were you pleased with an eighth place finish?
lewis: I was very happy to finally finish in the top 15 and get to be apart of the awards ceremony.
scrunners: With a 16th-place team finish, what did your team think of their combined scoring?
lewis: Our team knew what we where ranked previous to the race so we where all pretty happy as of where we placed as a team. I heard some of the others commenting on what they plan to do different for next year.
|
Full Name: Nicole Marie Lewis Date of Birth: Oct. 29 Brothers/Sisters: Two sisters; Kelli age 17 and Katrina age 5 Two brothers: Josh age 16 and Grant age 6 Academic Interest: Psychology Hobbies: running, listening to music, and guitar Personal Bests: 800 meters - 2:28, 1600 m - 5:30, 3200 m - 11:49, 5K - 19:45 |
lewis: I plan on running track for Midland Valley in the Spring. This will be my first outdoor track season in South Carolina. I am very excited because we have some really committed and great coaches at Midland Valley.
scrunners: What do you see happening with running in all of South Carolina in the future?
lewis: I'm not sure if I am going to be staying in South Carolina after I graduate or not. Depends on many different circumstances including where I will choose to go too further my education.
scrunners: In 2004 you ran for Aiken, what made you come to Midland Valley for the 2005 season?
lewis: After running for Aiken in 2004 I ended up moving back to Ohio soon after the season had finished because I was "homesick". Over the summer my family moved to another location in South Carolina so, I ended up at Midland Valley for my 2005 season.
scrunners: Does or did anyone in your family run?
lewis: No one in my family runs.
scrunners: How was the transition at a 4A school down to 3A?
lewis: The transition was not so bad because each place I go there is always someone who is pushing you and running your times on one of your schools competitors.
scrunners: How long did the adapting take from moving from Ohio to South Carolina? Explain...
lewis: It took me a while to adapt. The weather was really warm and dry when I first moved and I could not figure out why I was having so many problems training. It took even longer for me to figure out where everything was, I was getting my self lost once a week for a while just trying to learn my way around Aiken. Also, some of the things I would say up in Ohio was different then what people in South Carolina would call it. For example, soda in S.C. is pop in Ohio.
scrunners: Now that the regular season is over, what are you planning on achieving in the senior girl's race at Footlocker South on Nov. 26?
lewis: I plan on being under 20 minutes again and placing in the top 40 for the senior race.
scrunners: Have you run Footlocker meets before?
lewis: No.
scrunners: As a senior what do you want to remember the most from high school?
lewis: I remember all my friends and the school dances.
scrunners: Have you thought about potential areas of study in college?
lewis: Elementary education or psychology.
scrunners: What are you future goals in running and academics?
lewis: I would like to continue my education as for academics. After high school I would rather run longer distance then just a 5k. I have more endurance then I do speed and would like to one day test it out in a marathon or something longer.
scrunners: What would you like to accomplish with the rest of the track season?
lewis: This track season I would like to qualify for State in the 3200-meters and achieve the school record in this event and the 1600-meters.
scrunners: How do you see yourself accomplishing these goals?
lewis: I plan on accomplishing my goals by training hard this winter and try to stay focused on what I want to achieve.
scrunners: Did you start run cross country or track first?
I ran as a part of the Wayne County track club in the Spring of my fifth and sixth grade year. When I reached middle school I joined the school's cross country team.
scrunners: How has your training changed from when you started to run to the present?
lewis: My training involves a lot more mileage per week then when I first started.
scrunners: What kind of training did you do this past summer in preparation for the cross-country season?
I did a handful of speed workouts and did a lot of long runs.
scrunners: How much rest did you take prior to the start of track, after cross-country and how do prepare for track, with winter training?
lewis: I take two weeks off at the end of every season. I'm not real sure on how I am going to prepare for track because I always relied on indoor track too keep me going or having coaches there in the winter to do things as a team. This year I won't have that so, I will figure that out after I take my break after Footlocker.
scrunners: Where is Midland Valley's favorite place to train?
lewis: Midland Valley's favorite place to train is in the woods behind the school.
scrunners: What is your favorite workout? Explain.
lewis: My favorite workout is a six mile easy run.
scrunners: Do you prefer speed work or distance training? Why?
lewis: I prefer distance training because speed work is a lot more difficult and challenge for me.
scrunners: Are you looking to run in college?
lewis: Undecided.... looks that I may.
scrunners: Have you made many college visits lately?
lewis: Not lately.
scrunners: What are you looking to study in college?
lewis: Psychology or education.
scrunners: When you leave Midland Valley in May, what will you remember the most from being a student-athlete, academically, socially, and athletically?
lewis: I will remember how much fun it was and how it kept me motivated all through high school to do my best in everything that I did, including athletics, academics, and treating all my friends with respect.
scrunners: What has kept you motivated to get out the door everyday for practice and life?
lewis: I love life and each day is a gift from God.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured, if so, what and when did this happen? lewis: Stress fracture from overtraining.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
lewis: I encouraged others and did a lot of workouts in the pool and on a stationary bike.
scrunners: As a senior, do you hold a leader position on the team, that helps younger runs with training and also with learning about the sports?
lewis: I did not hold a leadership position on the team because I was new. scrunners: Who has been your biggest individual and team rival at Midland Valley?
lewis: No one at the school.. But, I always seem to be next to Ashlyn Ruczko (Chapin) at the end of many of my major races. She has encouraged me a lot through out the season.
scrunners: How did these rivals develop and when do they become most intense?
lewis: This developed from always finishing close to her and this became more intense at larger races such as lower state and state.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
lewis: I look for a coach who is interested in helping a team to do its best and helping each individual reach there goals. I expect a coach to look for student-athletes who are dedicated during practice and in the classroom.