Name: Carly Whitehouse
School: Bishop Machebeuf High School
Q) What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
My most memorable race was running at State my senior year in cross country. I knew it would be my last cross country race, so while it was hard, I let myself appreciate being there and getting that far.
Q) Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition was the school we had to compete against for state, St. Mary's. We were watching their team closely and knew which girls we each had to beat.
Q) What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was making state as a team. I had made it my goal during my junior year to make state in cross country. We were able to make it as a team in the fall, which our school hadn't done for years.
Q) If you could do it all over again what would you change about your career in high school?
If I could change something about my high school career, I would worry less about my races. I wish that I had learned to enjoy pushing my limits and competing more.
Q) What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The hardest obstacle for me to overcome was honestly myself. Convincing myself to get up early and run as well as pushing myself in a workout or race when I felt like giving up was definitely the hardest thing to overcome for me.
Q) What will you miss the most?
I will miss my team and my coaches the most. I will really miss running with them, talking to them during stretching, and laughing throughout practices. They brought so much joy to my life and to running. I would never have come so far without them.
Q) What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Do what you set out to do. There are many runs, especially when you are on your own, where it is so easy to stop the run early or take it easy because it's difficult. It's so easy to convince yourself you've done enough. However, if you want to accomplish something (in running and in life), you need to create a plan for yourself and follow through. This is true from every 400 meter interval you do to your workout plan for the summer. While it strengthens your body, it also strengthens your resolve. You will not just give up. You will do what you set out to do.
Q)What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
I could not have done this sport without my coaches. They have motivated me so hard and cared for me so much. They would give me work outs that I was afraid to do before. When I was shocked at the amount of hills Mr. Dobens (my head coach) would make me run or the times Mr. Dobens would give me for workouts, he would still make me do them and encourage me along the way. He showed me what I could do. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. His care for me made me work and push myself so much harder.
Q) What advice would you give to younger athletes?
I plan to attend Hillsdale College in the Fall.
Q) Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I would like to say a thank you to all my coaches, but especially Mr. Dobens. He was my coach for all four years of high school. Dobens helped me grow as a runner, and he truly believed in me when I didn't think I could do it. I want to thank him for the innumerable hours he spent running with me, preparing my workouts, planning for our races, and cheering me on. I was truly blessed to have him as my coach. I'd also like to thank my family for listening to me talk on and on about running and practices, as well as attending my meets and supporting my goals.
Q) Is there anything else you'd like to add?