Senior Swan Song: Skyler Winter

School: Peyton High School

Q) What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?

My most memorable moment was after getting a PR at the Pueblo West track meet last year. It was my last race of the season and my coach came up to me afterwards and told me a ran a time 5:54, I started

crying in disappointment until he told me it was a joke and that I had actually PR'd by taking 13 seconds off my previous personal best of 5:17. 

Q) Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

My biggest competition was with my teammates everyday at practice. Every workout would feel like a race towards the end as we were just trying to out kick one another in the last few meters of the workout.

Q) What was your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment was signing my letter of intent to run Cross Country in college.

Q) If you could do it all over again what would you change about your career in high school?

I would have started running sooner. With the current situation I find myself thinking about all the running and opportunities I missed by not running track or cross country my freshmen and sophomore years.

Q) What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was my disappointing performances at the beginning of my junior track season. I felt like I was working so hard at practices but could never hit my goals in races and that didn't change until I began to realize that success takes time and like my coaches always told me "trust the work you put in."

Q) What will you miss the most?

I will miss the workouts and long runs with my teammates. The moments where on my own I would have questioned my ability and worthiness but with my teammates we'd get this feeling of hope and strength that comes suffering and going through pain together.

Q) What advice would you give to younger athletes?

The advice I would give to younger athletes is to never give up, set a goal and go for it. Do not slow down because it hurts, do not be afraid of someone because on paper they seem faster than you. Have confidence in yourself and your ability and like my coach would always say, don't let your meat loaf.

Q) What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

My coach has always been one of my biggest supporters and role models. He has always pushed my to do better and I would not have the opportunity to run in college with out his support.

Q) What are your college plans?

I will be attending and running cross country for Colorado Mountain College in Leadville this fall.

Q) Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?

have supported me on and off the track. And finally my friends and family who throughout all the years have supported my many endeavors and goals.

Q) Is there anything else you'd like to add?