By: Kaydence Scott

Can freshmen make varsity sports teams? Elizabeth Parker is a 14-year-old freshman athlete from Houston, Texas, who has been doing XC for only two years. But she's on varsity!

Elizabeth is very determined, quiet, and strong both physically and mentally. She was introduced to XC in seventh grade but did not join the team until eighth grade. She has never won first place overall at a meet, but she has won first place all of her eighth-grade season. Her fastest mile time in XC is 6:13.

Training & Keeping Busy

She says she made the varsity team by training all summer and keeping up with her older peers. She says she also has a good relationship with the whole XC team. When asked what advice she would give to younger XC athletes, she stated, “Make sure to be training over the summer even on off days because it’ll help you in the long run, or practice even if you don’t have to.” 

In addition to XC, she runs track, participates in Lego Robotics, and dances at Cindy’s Studio of Dance, as well. She also enjoys singing, participates in our school's Musical Theater Program, and was in the Mary Poppins musical. As well as Shrek the musical. Going with the theme of singing, she also participates in choir.  She barrel races with her and her cousin’s two shared horses named ButterCup and Willow. She also contributes to her cousin’s farm by working and helping to keep the stalls clean.

XC Motivation

Elizabeth has an XC running playlist. She says her favorite song to listen to while running is "All the Stars" by SZA and Kendrick Lamar. She also is food-motivated and states, “The quicker I finish my run, the quicker I get food.” Her favorite style to put her hair in when running is a slicked-back ponytail. If you know her, you know she would regularly have a braided ponytail.

When asked what her favorite meet is, she would tell you it was the third meet of her first season. This was the meet at our rival school, Licking Heights. She says she recalls it being extremely fun and exciting, especially when she was the top athlete on the XC team in middle school. She would describe herself as caring, compassionate, and hard-working.

Beyond XC

Other than her sports, she has lots of friends and favorites. Her best friends are Kennedy Lytle, Gracelynn Mitchell, Evan Harrison, and Kaydence Scott. She has two dogs named Faith and Hope that live in her house with her, her brother Ethan, and her parents. Her favorite movie of all time is Tangled, and her favorite musical artist is Olivia Rodrigo.

When asked who her favorite teachers at Watkins Memorial High School are, she says "Mrs. Patterson and Mrs Graves," who she also says is her role model. She met Mrs. Graves in 6th grade and says she loves her like a second mom. Mrs. Graves has always been there for her to talk her through problems as a mother would. She has always spoken so highly of Mrs. Graves, no matter the situation.  

Conclusion

Elizabeth is a passionate and outgoing girl who isn’t afraid to love what she loves and do what she enjoys. Not many people know how hard-working she is and how passionate she is about what she loves. This is why I chose to write about Elizabeth. Now everyone who reads this will understand her on a deeper level. So, when you see her in the hallways, say hi.