Lilly Lavier: Alamosa To Oklahoma State

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Lilly Lavier's Best Marks

200 - 25.53

400 - 56.10

800 - 2:08.57

1,600 - 5:36

5k - 18:41

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Q) Talk about the recruitment process - what other schools were you looking at, and how did you come to choosing Oklahoma State University?

My recruiting process went as good as it could possibly go. In the end, I was choosing between the Air Force Academy, Baylor University and Oklahoma State, and went on to deciding between Baylor and OSU. I ended up choosing OSU because I had a great relationship with the coach and felt very at home around both the coaching staff and team and could envision a great running and academic career there. 

Q) What do you plan to study at OSU? 

I plan to study pre-med and go into Pathology. 

Q) What event do you see yourself focusing on at OSU?

I definitely still plan to focus on mid-distance, starting at the 800 but moving more into the 1500. 

Q) You've had success in everything from the 400 on up to the 5k, what would you say is your favorite event, and why? 

My favorite event is definitely the 800 because it is the perfect match of speed and endurance to where you get the best of both worlds!

Q) You've made some big gains over the past year, particularly in the 800 (2:14 down to 2:08), and the 5k (19:20 to 18:41), what would you say attributed to such improvements? 

I for sure buckled down last year after XC season, after not having as good of a race as I had hoped for I was determined to have a great track season. I put in a lot of offseason work which ended up paying off. I also have a great support system that helped give me the confidence I needed to take the leap to get to my goals. 

Q) What got you interested in running in the first place?

From as early as I can remember I was always around running. My dad used to coach middle school and high school track and XC so I was always on bus rides with his teams or at meets. My parents also ran a lot growing up so it was just something that everyone in my family did and the older I got the more I fell in love with it. 

Q) Could you share any goals you have for your senior year?

I plan to enjoy my senior year and to grow as much as possible before I leave. I hope to continue to lower my 800 time, and breaking 54 in the 400 is definitely a goal for this season.

Q) What would your favorite high school moment be?

My favorite moment from high school so far would be this last track season when our 4x4 team won back to back and our boys team won their first one. I was so special to be able to win again with my team and see the outcome of all our work but also watch the boys hard work pay off!