CC: I’m so excited to run with those girls. I know it will work out. Even if I’m not in the top seven, that’s fine. I really want to slowly, gradually build up to a top spot and just have fun with it.
Running for Stanford just sounds really cool, but I’m not going just for the reputation of the school — it’s just the right fit.
I’m excited to push myself in athletics and academics.
GR: Following your 3,200 at state — your last race in a Falcons uniform — you said that above all other things, what you will remember about this chapter in your life is the people who were there with you. What relationships made the strongest impression on you while at CV?
CC: I guess I’ll start with Rachel. I’ve always told her, ‘I could never do it without you,’ and I really mean it. She’s made it such a fun experience and it’s been great running with someone that knows you so well, that you can train hard with and you can work together.
I’d like to thank her so much from the bottom of my heart and I’m going to miss her so much.
Our coach [Mark Evans ] is just amazing and he really is, I think, the best coach in the world. No one can replace him and I don’t know how he put up with me, but he is amazing.
GR: Can you explain the importance of a coach in running and what Coach Evans brought to your career at CV?
CC: You need someone who knows what he’s doing to give you times to hit, miles to run. You need someone who’s going to give you a reality check, bring you back down if you’re freaking out or raise you up when you don’t feel strong and that’s what he does.
Everyone who says you don’t need a coach for running or running’s not a sport, they’re wrong, because I couldn’t do it without Coach.
GR: With all the success you’ve had as a Falcon, CV is going to be sorry to see you go. What are your feelings on leaving CV and home behind?
CC: High school was fun, but I’m really glad that it’s over, sort of. My family I’m really going to miss. I love my family and they really shaped who I am. Whenever I came back from a race they were there to help me and comfort me and I can’t thank them enough.
I’ll definitely miss the school. They were really supportive and they always put my newspaper articles up [on the wall]. I’ll miss the uniform and just running for the school and representing them, but I’m glad to be moving on, because you need change.
