Name: Aarika Lister
Personal bests: 11.58 in 100m dash 24.58 in 200m dash
Academic interests: interested in science, plan on going to college to study pre-need
Hobbies: playing basketball, singing
Favorite quote: "faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase"- Martin Luther king jr
How did you get involved in the sport?: when I was 11 a track coach saw me running bases at my softball game and since then I've been running and I fell in love with it
Please walk us through any pre race rituals.: first thing I do Is pray.. I thank God for blessing me for every single one of my gifts and talents. Because without God everything I do is meaningless. So I'm constantly talking to him before I run . And I repeat one of my favorite scriptures " I can do all tings the Christ who strengthens me". Then I let God take over lol
What is your favorite race and why?: 200 because first off it's not too short of a race and it's not too long of a race .. it's the perfect race ! And my favorite Olympic runner, Allyson Felix runs the 200m dash and I look up to her
What is your goal for your up coming meet and where is it at?my goal is to simply PR .. winning is fun ! But it's not my goal . As long as I can see my times improve that's all that matters to me
How do you look at being ranked as the top in the state? I look at it as a blessing ! And also a challenge .. I've raced against some pretty amazing athletes and I still am racing against some ! And to be the top in the state is a great accomplishment for me .
From your success in previous years, what do you hope to do this season coming up?: I hope to break some records !
Do you have a specific motivation? Like I've said previously I always put God first so he is always my motivation
What has been your biggest challenge in the sport? Overcoming injuries. It was not easy to not be able to run but my body needed time to rest and that was probably the biggest challenge for me .. it being able to do something that I love to do because an injury
What do you hope to achieve in the future? I hope to soon run professionally
Do you play other sports? I have played basketball during my freshman, sophomore and junior year of high school How does track help you with other sports and vice versa?: makes me faster and stronger. Also strong minded
How and when did you start training for track and field this season? i started training in September 11th of 2017
What do you enjoy the most about the Leavenworth team? The competitiveness
What team goals does Leavenworth have? To be placed in the podium at the state track meet for the boys, girls and as a team
What do you feel you have learned from your coaches, teammates and the sport?: to always look at the bigger picture
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?: run in the olympics . Because that's like my biggest dream ! To be able to say I was there, that's just incredible
Is this the sport you want to compete in college? If so have you made any decisions or narrowed your choices? Yes, I am actually going to soon be committed to ORU (Oral Roberts University's) in Tulsa Oklahoma