By Sarah Jakel
Emma Willadsen (17) found a passion to challenge her competitive nature just a few years ago. Willadsen said, “I guess I just ended up liking to run when I was in 8th grade.” She started running distance her 8th grade year and to this day it is something that helps clear her mind when times get tough.
Competition is a big part of Willadsen’s life and racing gives her a great opportunity to be very competitive. Along with a competitive nature comes the drive and motivation to go along with it. Willadsen said, “The encouragement from my family, my friends, my teammates, and the community is what keeps me motivated.” McKenzie Reiher (17) has been good friends with Willadsen for 4 and a half years. Reiher said, “She is definitely a competitor, she helps me to push to a higher level and changes my mental game to compete.”
Running may be an individual sport but, she wouldn’t be where she is without the help of others. Willadsen said, “My teammates push me to do my best and so I love running with them.” Reiher said, “Emma has a fun personality. She likes to have fun with the team, but when practice comes around she gets down to business and is always ready to compete and push.” Other than her cross country and track team mates she has always had the support of the volleyball team. She idolizes her mom because her mom always works hard and is very competitive.
On Nov. 21, Willadsen ran in the small school race in Casa Grande, Arizona at the South West Regional National Competition. She ran at 8:20 in the morning. Reiher said, “I think it will be a great experience for her. It is a very high competition and a lot of girls go so she will have a lot to compete with.” Willadsen was surrounded by girls she knew from her league and had been running against since she was in middle school. She finished the race with a new personal record of 19:52 and placed 31 over all. Willadsen said, “I decreased my time by 12 seconds from my best before.”
Her experience in Arizona was a great one. The support for Willadsen was through the roof. Willadsen said, “My coach Jessica Ruff was there to help support me and coach me through everything. I also had the support of her husband Chad Ruff. And I of course had the support of my dad at the race.”
In the future years, she would like to run in college but does not want to pursue a career in running as of now.
