Athlete Name: Sarah Mitchell
School: Oak Mountain High School
What was your most memorable meet and why?
My most memorable meet was the State Meet this year because I ran my last race and high jumped for the last time and to hear my team screaming for me and supporting me was just a wonderful experience.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I think one particular race at Chickasaw Trails while running a 5k on the last stretch there was one particular runner that kept hanging onto me and we were both coming in strong. It took quite a powerful sprint to shake her because she was determined. I ended up passing her barely but I thank her because my time was a lot better than if I hadn't faced her.
Out of all your high school accomplishments which stands out the most and why?
I think making it to state this year was the most difficult accomplishment. This season I had walking pneumonia for the first couple of months while I was trying to train and get conditioned for sprinting and jumping. I definitely did not see myself at state during those weeks fighting the pneumonia and still continuing to train as much as was healthy. Just making it to compete was such a miracle to me. The hard work that I put in even when my body was at its weakest eventually paid off. I learned a valuable lesson from this accomplishment.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I wouldn't change a thing. I trained hard and I made some great memories. I learned so many lessons. I think maybe the only thing I would do more is thank my parents, my coaches, and my teammates more because they make up the family that made me who I am through their influence in Track and Cross Country.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I had sickness, knee injuries, hip injuries, asthma, and sometimes my own mind was working against me and each one I had to learn how to fix in order to succeed. I think my mind was the most difficult obstacle to overcome. My mental state and attitude was the difference between a performance and a wonderful performance. Learning to turn off negative voices in my head helped me succeed better.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss high jump so much and I will miss the family I have on my team. They are so supportive!
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
When you say you cannot do something or you make excuses in your head that justify a mediocre performance you are your biggest enemy and those excuses transform into your training and races. Try to keep your thoughts positive and encouraging. Also do not quit. It is worth it and looking back on your career as a runner it is totally worth all the pain and time you put in. Running are some of the best memories I have.
What are your post-high school or college plans?
I plan to attend BYU- Hawaii! I am super excited to learn more about so many different cultures since a ton of different nations are represented there. I may want to pursue a career in writing or maybe exercise sport science. I will probably join the track club they have since there is no official team.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I want to thank every single coach I had especially Coach Kyle Dudley. Each coach I had taught me so much and Dudley especially helped me to develop as not only an athlete but as an individual. I’d also like to thank every teammate I have ever had and my parents. Everyone who supported me in my Track and Cross Country made me who I am! Thank you so much! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful Track Family!
