Monarch's girls started the season with four varsity positions more or less spoken for. It wasn't immediately clear who the fifth scorer would be, but Liz Hogan has answered those questions. Photos by Ashley Green.
Interview with Monarch (CO) freshman Liz Hogan:
You've enjoyed a very successful freshman season to date, but every successful freshman season has a back story. Tell us a little about when and how you got started with running.
I first started running through a running club that my mom started in elementary school. I would run twice a week with my brother, dad, and mom, and continued running in middle school track. In middle school, I ran the mile and I always loved chasing the boys, including my teammate, Isaac Green.
How long have you been going to Monarch cross country meets?
I have been going to cross country meets ever since my older sister, Anna, ran starting in 2010. I did my best to come to every meet and cheer her on. I always loved running around the course to cheer the girls on, and it only made me more excited to run for the team this year.
What thoughts went through your mind the first time you put on a Monarch uniform for a cross country meet?
When I put the Coyote jersey on, I felt really cool to be able to run with the team and finally be in a Monarch jersey like my brother and sister.
That first meet was the Arapahoe Warrior Invitational, and you finished 17th in a very large field with a time of 20:07 there. How did that finish compare with any goals you set for yourself for that race?
I didn’t really have any idea what I would be able to run at that point. I was just going to do my best and see what that did for me. I wanted to try to keep up with my teammates, the Mann twins, and go from there. I finished in eyesight with them, which made me very happy with my finish.
Your big event thus far has been Liberty Bell. And there you finished 12th with an 18:30. How do you go from 20:07 to 18:30 in two weeks?
I honestly had no idea that I was running that fast. I tried to stay up with my teammates and when I saw the clock, I was just as surprised as anyone else.
Monarch is a team deep in talent, in experience, and in coaches. Who do you go to most when you just need someone to talk to?
Whenever I need someone to talk to, I go to my teammates, Holly Bent, Audrey Lookner, and the Mann twins. They basically know everything about me and I feel like I can go to them with anything. They are the ones that make me get out of bed in the mornings. I also go to one of my coaches , Laura Thweatt. She is not only a very good coach for running, but also is very supportive in all aspects.
Have you thought much about goals you'd like to accomplish, either team or individual, with what remains of the season?
Ever since my sister started running, and since Monarch went to NXN for the first time in 2010, it has been my dream to run at Nationals with my best friends and the Monarch team.
Will we see you on the track in the spring? If so, what event or events would you like to run?
I am still debating between soccer and track, but if I were to do track, I would want to run the 800, 1600, and try the 3200.