Cross country junior runner Amy Morefield is leading the pack at Lovejoy HS
LUCAS, Texas — Lovejoy High School Lady Leopards cross country team won the UIL Class 5A state championship for the very first time. While Lovejoy junior Amy Morefield has been the top runner for the team all season long, she cemented her top spot on the team by running for a personal record of 17:36, as well as achieving fifth place at the state championship.
Morefield has been participating in track and field for the past five years.
“I love being in cross country because I get to spend every day with my best friends while doing something I love,” Morefield said. “This sport brings out the best in me and everyone who is a part of it. It has shaped me into the person I am now by teaching me the value of hard work and to fight for what I want, not only in running, but in every aspect of my life.”
With her eyes to the future, Morefield is already working toward earning a spot on a college roster when she graduates from high school in 2023. Her goal is to consistently run under, or have a low, 17-minute 5K so she has a smooth transition to the longer 6K at the collegiate level.
Achieving her goals brings challenges she has been learning to manage. Learning to manage hydration and nutrition are important, while a more difficult challenge was learning to manage her pace, so she had enough energy left in her well to finish a race strong. Her biggest challenge though is the pressure she puts on herself before her races. She is having to learn to relax before a race. Amy is discovering that experience is the best teacher in figuring out what works to break through that barrier. She has adopted the motto of, ‘When your legs can’t run anymore, run with your heart,’ and it is pushing her performance to the next level.
Keeping her mind in check and staying focused helps her find joy in the sport when the monotony of training can sometimes be frustrating. It was on one of these days when her coach gave her the best advice.
“My coach had a talk with us about how privileged we are to have this opportunity to run every day,” Morefield said. “This completely changed my mindset. Instead of being grumpy before a super-hard workout, I am glad I get to do this because so many people would kill to have this opportunity.”
Being a part of a team, and especially a team sport, has taught her to not only fight for her victories, but for her teammates as well.
“Since me and my teammates are so close, it makes racing easier because I want to race well for them,” Morefield said.
When she is not running, Morefield enjoys being with her family.
“We have a variety of activities that we do, such as going on bike rides, taking our dogs to the park, going on hikes, and just playing sports in the backyard,” said Morefield. “When I am not spending time with my family, I am with teammates, who are my best friends.”
Her achievements in cross country include third place at the UIL state meet her freshman year, qualified for Nike National Race her freshman year; 12th place at the UIL state meet her sophomore year; fifth place at the UIL state meet her junior year; this seasons personal record of 17:36.
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