Westmoore High School junior distance runner Elliot Coleman has learned that the best way to navigate a race — and a season — is to focus on her own lane and the teammates around her.
“I love that my teammates are so supportive and will always cheer for you no matter what. All that we care about is that we run our hardest,” Coleman said. That support has helped her grow more confident in her racing strategy and more patient with her progress, even when workouts or results do not immediately match her goals.
Coleman credits Westmoore cross country coach Reichert with setting the tone for the program and pushing her to chase a higher standard in practices and races. “Coach Reichert inspires me to get better and just do my best,” Coleman said. Under his guidance, she has worked to become more consistent from meet to meet, relying on daily training and race plans to build toward bigger goals at conference and postseason events.
Cross country appeals to Coleman because it blends individual responsibility with team success. “I love that cross country is a team sport and individual at the same time. We all have to improve on our own to be successful as a team. I also love seeing different places instead of just a track to run around all the time,” she said. Traveling to different courses, adjusting to hills, grass and changing weather, and learning to stay composed through longer distances are all parts of the sport she has come to enjoy.
Experience has taught Coleman to tune out the crowd of runners and focus on what she can control. “[Last year] I learned to just run my race and not worry about what other girls are doing,” she said. That mindset carries over into her current goals. “I just try to run my own race. I am trying to improve my patience. In a longer race, you need to be patient while trying to pass people, but I also need to be patient with myself to get my goals.”
Her summer preparation reflects that approach. “My summer workouts have been pretty good. I’m not where I want to be right now, but I’m going to keep working hard to get there,” Coleman said. She once split her time with the Westmoore band, but eventually chose to focus on running. “Other than running track and cross country, no, not anymore. Although, I was a part of the Westmoore band but quit to focus on running,” she said.
When asked who inspires her most, Coleman does not point to a single star but to the group that surrounds her every day. “Honestly, all of my teammates. Almost all of my teammate’s cheer after/before races and are so happy for everyone when we do good,” she said. After high school, she hopes to continue competing while pursuing a career in numbers. “After high school I want to go run in college and become an accountant.”
