DOUGLASS, Kan.—
Over the past four years Douglass senior Cassie Hollenback has turned her cross country career around from not qualifying as an individual for the state meet to winning a team state championship. Hollenback was inspired to run through her mother.
“I have always been raised around running. I deeply enjoy the benefits that come along with it because you get as much out of running as you put into it,” said Hollenback.
Over the four years, Hollenback has helped lead her team to two Central Plains League titles, a regional title, a State Championship and a State point record for Class 3A and second overall for all classes with 21 points this past season. She also topped off a very successful season with a 16th-place individual finish this year at state.
“The thing I will remember the most is my teammates and how we have all grown as individual runners. Most of us have run since seventh grade and it is neat to be able to look back and see the progress we have made through the years,” said Hollenback. “Secondly, I will remember our State Championship we had this season.”
As for the future, Hollenback would like to continue to run at the collegiate level.
“I am still undecided where I am attending, but I am positive that I will be running competitively in college. I really enjoy the longer races, so I might look into the Half Marathon as an option,” she said.
On the agenda for Hollenback this winter is the 5k Say Grace Thanksgiving race, the 36th Annual Turkey Trot, the Dallas Half Marathon and the Not for Wimps 10-miler.
