Chanel Mazzone: Ursuline Academy
I was at a cross country conference this past week and one of the college coaches presenting was describing how athletes are remembered years after their careers are over. He explained how people won't necessarily remember you for the championships and awards that you have won but they will definitely remember you for the person that you were. This couldn't be more true of an athlete than it is with Chanel. A simple example is how she switched events this past season. She was a mediocre 200m runner last year and at the recommendation of the coaching staff moved up to the 800m and 400m. Chanel did not flinch when we suggested this. Instead she trusted her coaches completely and gave it all she had. The switch worked and Chanel finished her career in style as a member of the Div IV Champion 4x400m relay team. The level of selflessness, work ethic and sportsmanship that Chanel brought to our team everyday is what allowed her the opportunity to be on that team. These are some of the many reasons she was an amazing and responsible captain. Chanel can never be replaced but she WILL be missed and remembered for the amazing human being and role model that she is. Coach TShaw
What do you enjoy doing outside of your running?
Is there anything else to do besides running? Even when I am not running I am still active. I am an avid skier/snowboarder and love to bike, kayak, and go hiking. Art is another big part of my life. I love being able to create things with just a pencil and piece of paper! Service to others is another important activity that I always make sure to do.
What are you going to miss most about your high school running career?
I am going to miss the amazing companionship with my teammates and working together to achieve goals. There is definitely a something special that happens on the track when you learn to break mental and physical boundaries running alongside your teammates. Even during a hard workout, I knew I could look beside me at my teammates and find the strength to do that extra repeat. Every practice and race we were there for each other, whether a girl needed a shoulder to lean on or a pair of shorts to borrow. I am definitely going to miss the great team spirit our team has.
What was your most memorable race?
My most memorable race would have to be the last race at states. For me, it was a culmination of everything that I had worked for and only dreamed about achieving. It was special for a couple reasons. Firstly, it was the 4x400m relay so I got to finish my last race with three other amazing teammates. Secondly, I was able to run a huge personal record. Lastly, we won the event and we were able to do so together. When I look back at my high school years, I will look back at this race.
Out of all your high school running accomplishments, what stands out the most?
I had approximately three weeks left of track left in my senior year and my coaches suggested I run the 800m. After being a short distance sprinter my whole life, being able to do well in the mid distance events definitely stands out as an accomplishment. For me, it meant that I could achieve anything as long as I persevere and remain steadfast to my goals.
What was the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Breaking down the mental barrier, that little voice in your head that says you cannot go further or push through the pain any more in a race, is definitely the most difficult obstacle I’ve had to overcome. For me, getting past this is the key to doing well in track as well as the most rewarding at the end of a race. There are so many times during a race where I didn’t think I could push any harder but once I broke down the doubt I had I could feel myself going faster. Some of my proudest moments in track came from races where I didn’t think I had the strength to continue but pushed through the mental barrier anyways.
Do you have any advice for younger runners?
I would tell them that even if they feel they haven't reached their goals yet, be steadfast, keep working hard, striving, and never, never giving up. Life can sometimes consist of setbacks and you feel as though you will never achieve your goals. At the end of my last season of track it all came together. If I had given up, I would not have had my most memorable race. I would also tell them to be unafraid of new events. I would never have imagined myself running mid distance if I had not gone and tried it out. As the old adage goes, you never really know until you try.
If you were to change anything about your high school running career.....what would you change?
I would definitely have started running mid distance way earlier. Though, honestly, I feel that it never would have occurred to me! Therefore, I want to give a big thank you to my coaches for spotting that and having the confidence in me that I could run it.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to give a huge thank you to my amazing teammates. They have never stopped inspiring me throughout the season to push through a hard work out or run a difficult race. Even when they weren’t running with me, I could hear them on the sidelines cheering me on, whether at a meet or at practice. There is something very special about having someone that believes in you. I can honestly say that my coaches had a special belief in each member of the team to improve and run a seasonthey were proud of. Therefore, I owe a gigantic thank you to my coaches. It was this belief in me that motivated me throughout the season and made me a better runner. I trusted in them completely and knew that they would do whatever they could to make sure I had the best season. As a result of this trust, I gave them everything I had each race. This is a testament to what great coaches they are. They inspired each member to give it their all, whether it was finishing first in a race or getting a PR. I owe them an enormous thank you. Many of the great life lessons I’ve learned have come from their fantastic coaching ability. So shout out to
Coach Torres and Tshaw! Thank you!!!