Freshman cross country runner Cheyanne Trout has already experienced success in the sport, starting with her first-place finish at the middle school Bald Eagle Invitational last year.
“I had an amazing race because I placed first by almost 40 seconds, and I had a great time with my team after the race,” Trout said.
Now, as a high school runner, she has continued her strong performances. Trout placed sixth in the freshman race at the Red, White, and Blue Invitational. She has competed in the varsity Red Flash, Blue Devil, Gateway, and Youthtowne invites and has done well at each one.
“It’s so hard to pick a favorite memory because most of my favorite memories come from Saturday invitationals,” she said.
Trout has experienced these successes despite suffering a hip injury that ended her middle school track season last spring.
“While it definitely affected my running, I am working on getting back to where I was,” Trout said.
Trout enjoys running so much because it involves dedication.
“Motivation is one of the key parts of running,” Trout said. “I would say that 90 percent of it has to come from yourself.”
She is motivated by trying to beat her best times.
“I also love racing because going out and setting PRs, and seeing how much I improve is super important to me,” Trout said.
Trout’s teammates recognize her love and dedication to the sport. Freshman Keely Duzyk met Trout during her seventh-grade track season.
“Cheyanne is one of my best friends and our friendship was made through running,” Duzyk said. “She’s very determined, hardworking, and has an overall love for the sport. All those qualities help her be the best version of herself.”
Trout can remember how she and Duzyk first met. They raced each other at an event called the Highlander Games.
“She fell within the last 50 meters. I didn’t see her again until cross country, and on the first day, I asked her if she was the girl from the Highlander Games who fell,” Trout said. “Little did I know, she would be my first friend on the cross country team and quickly become one of my best friends.”
Freshman Alana Ipolito, a teammate of Trout’s, said her favorite memory comes from a rainy practice.
“Cheyanne, our friend Keely, and I went to do pre-race and for the whole duration of the 25 minutes, it poured, making it very slippery,” Ipolito said. “We slid through mud and jumped in puddles. That might have been the most fun I’ve had at cross country.”
A major role model for Trout is collegiate runner Parker Valby. Trout idolizes her for being a six-time NCAA champion and holding the collegiate record in the 5000-meter race.
The key to success in running is determination, Trout said.
“It’s important not to give up quickly,” she said. “Even if you’re not hitting your times or doing the best, that doesn’t mean you won’t improve.”
