The student news site of Naperville North High School

The North Star

The student news site of Naperville North High School

The North Star

The student news site of Naperville North High School

The North Star

Freshman runner has high hopes

By Contributor Jacob Triplett

Top freshman cross country runner Emerson King and I sat down to discuss his season and what he would like to accomplish at a national meet where he will represent Naperville Track Club. King has proven himself to his peers, as he is NNHS’ top freshman runner and has earned many top ten finishes throughout the season. King said he hopes to become a varsity captain of the NNHS boys cross country team in the future. With training and hard work, he hopes to accomplish his dream of running professionally someday. Emerson believes his track club has what it takes to do well at nationals in San Antonio on Dec 14. After a successful first season of NNHS cross country, Emerson hopes that the national meet will help him to top off his season.

Q: What is the best part about cross country?

A: [It] would have to be the meets because they are really fun and exciting. You are with your friends the whole time, and it’s just great way to meet new people.

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Q: Do you feel like you had to prove yourself as a freshman?

A: I feel like I have to prove myself so I can make an impact on my coaches and teammates. I also want to prove myself because a lot of people think freshman athletes aren’t as good. Since I’m on varsity, I’m going to have to prove myself even more to the juniors and seniors.

Q: What were the expectations from your coaches as the top freshman?

A: My coaches have really high expectations for me, well, because I’m setting the bar high with being a freshman and all.

Q: How do you train?

A: You can’t just train at practice. You have to be training when you’re at home also. I run a lot at home and at school. During practice, we run about nine miles each day. I do what the other varsity runners are doing, whether it’s long runs, sprints, or easy jogs. These exercises help me prepare for races.

Q: How did the season go for you?

A: [I did] very well this season. I ran a 3 mile race in 16:06 at the Peoria race, which was my best time ever. My best finish was second place as a freshman and 7th overall.

Q: How is the cross country at North different from junior high cross country?

A: High school cross country is so much harder, it means a lot more to everyone, and the races are so much more intense than junior high races. Since there are a lot of high schools, the meets are a lot more packed with people.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish at nationals?

A: I hope to do well at nationals, and I hope that all my hard work so far has paid off. I hope that I can make my teammates and coaches proud by getting in the top ten if that were to happen.

Q: Do you see yourself running in college?

A: Yes. My dream is to be running cross country when I’m in college.

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Freshman runner has high hopes