Kapaun runner Malerie Davied set high goals, then achieved them

Kapaun Mt. Carmel junior Malerie Davied wasn’t always interested in cross country. In fact, as a freshman, she chose to go out for the tennis team instead. After one season, she soon realized that it didn’t give her the same competitive drive that she felt when she ran.

“I enjoyed tennis, but it just wasn’t active enough for me,” said Davied. “I wasn’t at the point of getting a really good workout; I was just decent. My older sister had run cross country in high school and I had several friends who were running. They loved it and I guess I just wanted to experience it. It turned out I was pretty good.”

Davied didn’t have any experience running cross country, but had participated in track throughout middle school. Despite being somewhat inexperienced, she soon earned one of the top spots on varsity, and has continued to improve ever since.

“Last year I was around number 2-4 on varsity,” she said “My time kept improving throughout the year. I probably started with a 16:45 race time. My [personal record] now is 16:03. And [this year] I have stayed on varsity as number one.”

Davied said it can be challenging to stay fit during the off-season, but she worked hard to do so and maintain her spot on the varsity roster.

“My friends are great motivators. After a week break, we kept meeting after school to run,” said Davied. “Sometimes we would go to the YMCA and bike or lift weights. I love variety, so as long as I change up my routine I can continue working out. The off season is crucial to success during the year. I do my best to stay in shape. I [just] keep running.”

After an impressive first year, Davied set high goals for herself for this season. She worked hard throughout the season and accomplished almost every goal she set.

“I wanted to break 16 minutes, stay on varsity and get the entire team to state,” she said. “Unfortunately, I did not break 16, but I ran 16:04 at [the El Dorado Invitational]. I have stayed on varsity as number one and my team just made it to state. I have done pretty well. Most of goals have been achieved, which is exciting. I am happy with my success.”

Participating in cross country for two years has also increased her level of competition and her determination to win.

“Last year someone asked me [if I was competitive], and I told them no,” said Davied. “Now, I would say I am a bit competitive. I think more so in practice than in a meet though. What drives me is probably the medal, just helping the team and wanting to beat my sister [Kapaun Mt. Carmel sophomore Monica Davied].”

Davied hopes to finish the season with a personal record at state, but will still be happy with her performance no matter what the result. More than anything, she is looking forward to continuing to improve in the off season to prepare to have a great senior season.

“I don't think I can get a [personal record] at state. It is a tough course,” she said. “Next year, however, I will. I want to have fun at state. It’s really neat to see so many runners from all over the state, from all backgrounds, running the same course. The course is beautiful. It’s very hard, yet so pretty. This winter and summer I will continue to train, maybe increase my training in the summer, to enable me to accomplish my goal in my senior year.”

What Davied enjoys most about cross country is the relationships it has allowed her to form, and the release that running provides for her.

“I love the community. My teammates are my best friends,” she said. “Also, I love running. Running is my way of letting out my anger and stress. It also gives me time to pray. It’s freedom.”