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Katie Till's Best Marks:
400 Meters - 59.57
800 Meters - 2:17.02
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Most people in Colorado probably have not even heard about Midwestern State. Tell us a little about the school and how you came to the decision that that what where you wanted to sign.
I heard about Midwestern State after many trips to Texas for basketball tournaments and to visit my sister. After passing through quite a few times, I heard about the university and decided to look into it. After taking a visit, I absolutely loved the community aspect and the beautiful places to run around the campus.
What do you plan to study at Midwestern State?
I plan to study athletic training. I enjoy sports and working with athletes, so I decided that would be a good fit for me.
All through high school, you've had an older sister or a younger sister on the team with you. What's been the best aspect of that for you?
Having my older sister, Aubrey, on the team made me appreciate being so close to a teammate that had experience in running. I always had a training partner, so I rarely did workouts by myself. Also, she showed me how hard work can pay off when she was given opportunities to continue her career after high school. My little sister, Ellie, on the team makes me play a completely different role. I am able to be the role model and show her how to enjoy running and what it has done for me. Ellie and a few of the other underclassmen aren't big on cross country, so as seniors the past two years, we found ways to make it more positive with coffee runs, team dinners, baking, and spending time together after practice.
You've stuck to middle distance in track, so I'm going to guess you prefer track to cross country, but what's your favorite race in track?
In track, I love, love, LOVE the 800m. Before high school, I had competed in just about any event, ranging from the 200m to long jump, not specializing in anything. I don't know if it is because I'm better than my older sister at it, or if it's a good race to train for after five months of basketball, but there's something about the 800m that makes me excited to come back every year.
What's been your favorite memory from your high school track and cross country career so far?
Throughout my cross country career so far, my favorite memory is having the team qualify for state in cross country all four years that I've been in high school. Each year before the state meet, we have a tradition of having a team dinner and decorating shirts to wear that weekend. I'm happy that I got to experience that one last time. In track, I would have to say that my favorite memory was when I got to race my older sister, Aubrey in the 800m. I was on the bubble for qualifying for state, so I needed to run a season best. My coach (my mom) thought there would be no better way to run a fast time than having my sister do it with me, so she signed us both up for it! After the race, when we looked at official times, Aubrey and I both ran personal bests and qualified for state together!
You have one season left. What's one thing you really want to accomplish in your final high school season?
In my final high school season, I would like to place one last time in the 4x800. Along with that, I want leave knowing that I made an impact on the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors that run. I'd love to see the Canon City distance program grow and continue the tradition of qualifying for state in cross country, having a strong 4x800m team, and having individuals compete in state track.
