Name: Katie Wilson
Year: senior
Hometown: Hinsdale
When did you first start running?
I started running my freshman year. I was not very good when I first started. I always heard that it was a nice group of girls at Hinsdale Central and I had a neighbor who did cross country and she absolutely loved it, so I was like, 'I think I'm going to give it a try.'
How have you improved since your freshman year?
My times have definitely improved. I was so slow. It's crazy how far I've come since then. I think I've been able to advocate for myself a lot more and I'm more comfortable talking with the coaches.
What is the best advice you've gotten from a coach?
Coach (Mark) McCabe has a lot of good advice. He has these quotes every single week. All of his quotes are so good. I think that my favorite one that he has is, 'Growth and comfort never coexist.'
What would people be surprised to know about you?
All throughout elementary school and middle school, I used to dance ballet. I had point shoes and everything. It's kind of a big difference between dancing and wearing all of those pretty costumes and running.
What are your plans for next year?
I applied to Michigan and I'm hoping to apply to Notre Dame soon. I think Michigan has a running club and I'm pretty sure other schools do, too. I think doing something that is not necessarily competitive but still being able to run every day and do something with a group of people is something I definitely would be interested in doing in college.
Why does coach Mark McCabe like having Wilson on the team?
Katie is a four-year cross country athlete who has been a contributor in every way since day one. This summer she and I communicated daily, and she and Jessie Wang were my "right hand women" in leading workouts for the junior varsity runners until we were able to begin our official summer camp. She is a positive leader, incredibly efficient and a bright light. Katie is the consummate role model for her younger teammates - a hard-working athlete, a top student and, most importantly, truly a young woman of good character.
- profile by Pamela Lannom, photo by Jim Slonoff
