Name: Faith Paramore
School: Haven High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: I have been running workouts on the track and doing my own workout schedule since we are no longer able to have track practice.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I am committed to play college basketball, so I have been doing a lot of basketball workouts to keep myself in shape and to work on my skills. I have also been taking a lot of walks with family and friends, as well as watching a lot of Criminal Minds.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race was definitely last year at State Track when I won the 3A 800 meter dash. I went into the race ranked third but all of our times were really close so I knew I had a good chance to win it. I ran the race exactly how I always do, I sit with the pack the first lap and then on the second I take off and get a good lead and always kick it in starting at the last 200 meters. It was such a thrill to be a State Champion and I was glad I could win it for my school and community.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: This is about throwing but oh well. During my freshman and sophomore year, I always threw javelin and ran the 800, 400 and 4x400 relay. My junior year I had the same lineup but I didn't want to run the 400 at every meet so I talked my coach into letting me try discus. It was not near as easy as I thought it was going to be and I was pretty good at fronting, but I could not spin to save my life. So, at the first track meet that I threw discus at, my coach made me spin at least once. So I warned everyone that they needed to pay attention because I have absolutely no idea where the discus would end up. It was a good thing I warned everyone because I let the discus go about halfway through my spin and it hit the pole right next to a couple of moms. It was super embarrassing but I just embraced the bad spin and laughed about it.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: My best competitor was Elise Kaiser from Hesston. We always competed against each other in the 400 meter dash and since we are in the same league, we were up against each other at like every single meet it seemed like. It was always close, but she would normally beat me because that was her best race and she was a state qualifier all 3 years -- my best was the 800 m. Elise and I have played basketball against each other since we were in fourth grade so it was always good to compete against a good friend.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment in track was either winning the State Championship in the 3A 800 meter last season and getting the school record or qualifying for State in 2018 & 2019 in every event that I participated in. Outside of track, my biggest accomplishment would be signing to play Division 1 basketball at Oral Roberts University. #GOEAGLES
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: The only thing I would change would be my attitude my freshman and sophomore year during practice. I always complained about the workouts and how bad my legs hurt and that was just a waste because even though I wanted to get better and ran the workouts with everything I had, my mind just wasn't in the right place during practice.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: I had several injuries throughout my high school track career, but the most daunting was my groin injury. I had a groin issue all through volleyball, basketball, and track last year and struggled to stay healthy but also stay in shape throughout that time.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I will miss my teammates and the time we spent during practice and track meets together. Without a doubt. Some of my favorite high school memories are from all of us kids sitting on blankets in the middle of the football field waiting for out events and just making jokes and laughing together. There is something about track that brings people close who normally wouldn't ever talk to one another. I absolutely loved track meets and the bus rides to them because I got really close with different people and made a TON of great memories.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: One thing I wish I knew when I was younger is that you control how good you will be. If you want to be good, YOU will work hard in practice. YOU won't blame others for your mistakes. YOU control yourself, no one else. If I would've known what I was capable of doing later in high school my freshman year, then I would've been way better than I am now. In everything. Not just track. You control your own destiny.
Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: Oh wow, our whole coaching staff has been an absolute joy to be around and I am sure they think the same about me ;) Our head coach was my throwing coach and she made me into a great thrower that competed at state and always made sure I was focused on the right stuff at the right time. One of the assistant coaches was my running coach and he helped me realize what I could do if I got out of my own head. He never put up with my complaining and we built a great relationship during the long hours of practice and meets. I am very thankful for all of the coaches we have had in the Haven track program.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Oral Roberts University where I will be playing basketball and majoring in Criminal Psychology.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: A HUGE thank you to my parents for always getting off work and coming to spend hours in the scorching hot sun or freezing rain to watch me compete. Thank you to all of our coaches for pushing me day in and day out to be the best athlete I could be. Thank you to the ladies who took hundreds of pictures of us at every meet so we could remember the good and bad times. Thank you to our trainer for keeping us all in one piece and thank you to my teammates. I have made some very special bonds over the years during track and I wouldn't trade any of them for anything.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: To people thinking that track is just running and that it sucks, IT DOESN'T!!! Track is so much more than just running. It is about building relationships with others and making yourself a better athlete. Go out for track. You won't regret it.
Q: Favorite Meal?
A: Oh my gosh I eat everything so I don't even know. Umm.. probably country fried steak with mashed potatoes and everything covered in gravy. Plus, chocolate pie with a ton of whipped cream!!!
Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: A hippo because they are super cute and can just swim or lounge or do whatever they want all day long. Plus, they can eat a whole watermelon in one bite and I love watermelon.
Q: Your favorite superhero?
A: Probably Captain America because he is superrrrrr attractive.