After a summer of practicing and watching her older brother senior Blake Selm make the varsity cross country as a freshman three years ago, freshman Leah Selm was ready to make her varsity cross country debut.
“I ran 150 miles this summer, so I was really prepared to get right into the season,” L. Selm said. “And Blake does cross country, so I have watched him race in many meets. As I see Blake as a top competitor in all his races, I want to do the same. I hope that in the years to come I can get better and be the top runner for the team.”
Selm is already bringing points to the varsity team with a personal record (PR) of 20:28 during a 5-kilometer race.
“She consistently runs alongside sophomore Emma Caplinger and senior Lauren Calvin and the three of them push each other in races,” senior and captain Betsy Wait said. “As a teammate, Leah’s work ethic inspires other girls on the team to give their best effort.”
According to L. Selm’s teammates, not only does she bring skills, but she brings friendship to the girls.
“Leah fits in awesome,” junior and teammate Natalie Butler said. “She’s a super mature girl so she doesn’t seem like your typical freshman. Also, she has had a ton of running experience when she was in middle school, so she knows how to race. She races super smart and doesn’t let her nerves get to her.”
Selm’s work ethic and attitude have also caught the attention of coach Charles Cutelli.
“She is a great teammate,” Cutelli said. “She is a great role model for the runners her age. She is also someone I think the older girls can rely on in competition to always give her best.”
