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Athlete Spotlight: Kelsey DeAcosta Runner’s Goal: To Successfully Complete a 5K
Despite being new to cross country, Junior Kelsey DeAcosta has earned high praise from her Cross Country coach.
By Daniel O'Malley
Sports Editor
New junior Kelsey DeAcosta joined the cross country team this season because she likes to run and wanted to get in shape. She was also told she was “going to have fun.”
What she didn’t realize, however, was how difficult it was going to be to run three-to-seven miles every day in practice. “Cross country is kicking my butt, but I love it,” she said recently.
“I didn’t expect it to be this much fun,” she said, while adding, “I like everyone on the team. The kids and coaches are the best part. They are very funny.”
Everybody has enjoyed her presence on the team. Assistant Coach Mr. Laughead described Kelsey as “a kind, easygoing person. We all like being around her.”
Kelsey said her goal for cross country is “to be able to run a 5k without dying.” Her coaches know she can complete this task, as Assistant Coach Mr. Laughead said that “her attitude and approach to Cross Country is fantastic. I think if Kelsey focuses on the process, the product will take care of itself.”
Kelsey is one of two girls on the team. “It’s fun and interesting. At first I was like, ‘Oh shoot’, but I soon completely forgot about it,” said Kelsey.
She has been credited with getting more runners to join. “Kelsey’s presence means a lot,” Mr. Laughead said. “She was the first girl to join the squad this year, and once she joined, [10th grader] Mia Deckman then came on board. After Mia, some Middle School students joined. It was like a domino effect.”
Kelsey said that the hardest part about cross country is, “When you run, it’s like you are the only one there. You think you’re [mentally done], so you push yourself to do more.”
It seems as if she is challenging herself, as Mr. Laughead said that “Kelsey’s drive is impeccable. She is striving to push herself to get better each day.”
Even though she arrived as a junior, Kelsey seems to have found her place at Woodlynde.
“I love it,” she said. “I love that it’s a small school, and I love how it’s very supportive. I finally feel like I fit in.”
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Sports Editor
New junior Kelsey DeAcosta joined the cross country team this season because she likes to run and wanted to get in shape. She was also told she was “going to have fun.”
What she didn’t realize, however, was how difficult it was going to be to run three-to-seven miles every day in practice. “Cross country is kicking my butt, but I love it,” she said recently.
“I didn’t expect it to be this much fun,” she said, while adding, “I like everyone on the team. The kids and coaches are the best part. They are very funny.”
Everybody has enjoyed her presence on the team. Assistant Coach Mr. Laughead described Kelsey as “a kind, easygoing person. We all like being around her.”
Kelsey said her goal for cross country is “to be able to run a 5k without dying.” Her coaches know she can complete this task, as Assistant Coach Mr. Laughead said that “her attitude and approach to Cross Country is fantastic. I think if Kelsey focuses on the process, the product will take care of itself.”
Kelsey is one of two girls on the team. “It’s fun and interesting. At first I was like, ‘Oh shoot’, but I soon completely forgot about it,” said Kelsey.
She has been credited with getting more runners to join. “Kelsey’s presence means a lot,” Mr. Laughead said. “She was the first girl to join the squad this year, and once she joined, [10th grader] Mia Deckman then came on board. After Mia, some Middle School students joined. It was like a domino effect.”
Kelsey said that the hardest part about cross country is, “When you run, it’s like you are the only one there. You think you’re [mentally done], so you push yourself to do more.”
It seems as if she is challenging herself, as Mr. Laughead said that “Kelsey’s drive is impeccable. She is striving to push herself to get better each day.”
Even though she arrived as a junior, Kelsey seems to have found her place at Woodlynde.
“I love it,” she said. “I love that it’s a small school, and I love how it’s very supportive. I finally feel like I fit in.”
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