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Lexi Reed's Best Marks
800 Meters - 2:14.74
1600 Meters - 4:53.09
3200 Meters - 10:53.21
5K Cross Country - 17:35.0
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Tell us about the decision for Oregon State. What made the program attractive for you?
When I first visited Oregon State, I almost immediately felt an "at-home" vibe. Everyone I met was so nice and welcoming and the city of Corvallis is very community-oriented. I had emailed with Coach Sullivan before my actual visit, but actually meeting him I could see why all of the girls on the team talked so highly of him! He really cares about the athletes as people, not just runners and that was really important to me. Additionally, the campus is beautiful and there are so many awesome places to run close by.
What do you plan to study at Oregon State?
I'm planning to major in kineisiology (exercise science) and possibly minor in nutrition.
You came into high school as a tennis player. What led to--and what encouraged--the transition to distance runner?
Actually, coming in to high school my main sport was basketball, which I've played since I was five. I had never even really thought much about cross country. Our school has a community 5k at the beginning of the school year--the D'Evelyn Dash--which I ran in just for fun my freshman year. I ended up winning my age group, and the cross country coaches told me I should come out for cross country, but I had already committed to playing fall basketball because I wanted to make the varsity team in the winter. I decided to do both tennis and track the spring of my freshman year, and gradually started to love running more and more, which led to me running cross country sophomore year!
Track or cross country?
As much as I get asked this question, I don't really know! I like different things about each of them, so I usually just say I like whichever one is in season! :)
As you look back on your high school career, what stands out as the personal highlight of it all for you?
I have a lot of fond memories from high school running, but most recently would probably be my senior year State meet which just finished up. It was by far the best State meet of my career, so I was really happy to go out on such a good note. But probably the thing that I will remember most from high school running is all of the friendships that I have made and the people I have met through it. Running is a lot different from basketball and tennis because I honestly don't think I have met a rude distance runner! Everyone is so nice and I think that comes from the mutual respect distance runners have for each other which is awesome to see.
How much time do you take off after state track before you're back at it, training for the fall?
I'm going to St. Louis this coming week to race in the Nike Festival of Miles and then I will probably take 1-2 weeks off before starting up my college training program!
