Getting To Know Emily Downey& Haley Dietsch of Aquinas

Jim Madison

 

The Saint Thomas Aquinas girls have begun the 2014 season with wins at two very competitive meets. The big win at their home meet, the Greg Wilson Classic, earned them a 2nd place finish in the Milesplit.com national team of the week poll. They followed that up with a win in the elite green division at the Forest Park XC Festival in St. Louis, MO. Through both meets the team has been led by junior Haley Dietsch and senior Emily Downey. The two girls finished 18th and 19th at Forest Park and we take a moment now to learn a little bit more about each of them.

Link to Stltodays article on STA's win at Forest Park 

  • How did you get started in distance running?
EMILY:  I got started in distance running by running with my mom. Going on runs and doing road races are something I've done with her since I was little. I was brought into the world of cross country by my parents requirement for participation in a fall sport freshman year in order to meet people entering high school. Through running I have met the greatest people and built some of my strongest friendships.
 
HALEY: In a middle school track meet nobody signed up for the mile and since I was the only one in the race I was guaranteed a first place medal. I ended up liking the mile and have been running distance ever since then!
 
  • What are your future plans? (college, etc..)
EMILY: Undecided, interested in math-possibly engineering,chemical, top college options are Kansas and St.Louis University. Talking to cross country coaches at both Kansas and K-State.
 
HALEY:  I would really like the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level; however, right now my focus is on having a great junior cross country season. 
  • What are some of your individual goals for this year?
EMILY: Time goals are harder to set for cross country because of the variety of the courses and conditions. I am looking to set the school and senior records in 4k and 5k. 
 
HALEY: My individual goals this year are to place in the top three at the state meet and run under 18:45 for the 5k.
  • What are some of your team goals for this year?
EMILY:  Team goal is all about qualifying for Nike Cross Nationals up in Portland, Oregon. We must get a top two spot in the Heartland region in order for this to happen. We are prepping for this by running meets such as Forrest Park to face crowded fields with some big competion and getting to feel out that 5k race more. We are also entering the platinum division at Rim Rock (girls 5k).
 
HALEY: We are training hard with our sights set on winning state and improving our placement at the Nike Regional Meet. We hope to earn a spot at the national meet.
  • What do you like to do outside of running? 
EMILY: I love sports and I love competition so outside of running I enjoy attending other school sporting events and Kansas City Royals games.
 
HALEY: Outside of running, I enjoy working at Garry Gribble's running sports and volunteering at the hospital. I also enjoy spending time with my teammates outside of practice where we can become better friends and better teammates. 
  • What is your favorite thing about high school cross country?
EMILY: My favorite part about cross country is my team. The amount we train together makes us really well bonded. When we step on the starting line we all know we love each other and we will do whatever is possible to make our team successful. We will go through any amount of pain for each other, both on and off the course. Cross country teams are like families. Not just the seven girls on varsity but all 100+ kids on our team are out cheering for you and working hard for the team every day. It's a really encouraging system.
 
HALEY: Being on the Saint Thomas Aquinas cross country team has not only made me a better runner but it has taught me many valuable life lessons. Our team stresses the importance of hard work, integrity, faith, and being a family, all of which I think contribute to the success of the team.