Knights sophomore sees potential with girls cross country
By Michael Stern, Special Writer
Washington’s Crossing Park has a special place in West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North cross country runner Manolya Altan’s heart.
Last October, the sophomore ran her best 3.1-mile race of her life posting a time of 20:11.
”It was my best race yet. I got my personal record. I feel like at that meet I was just the most motivated I have ever been,” Altan said. “I was able to conquer the hill really well. It was a good meet and I was really proud of myself after that.”
Last Tuesday, Altan didn’t post as good of a time but she still ran very well. She came in fourth with a time of 22:09.
”I didn’t do my best, but it’s still early in the season so there is time to improve for later,” Altan said.
Altan knows why she didn’t run her best race.
”At that course there is a pretty long hill which is where I mostly slow down, and I feel like that’s something we can all work on as a team,” said Altan. “I feel like I have some trouble with hills and I think if I could have gotten past that, I may have had a better race.”
Altan doesn’t want to get discouraged because she knows it’s only the beginning of the season.
”Sometimes it’s hard in the beginning of the season because you might get discouraged because you’re not in the shape you were the year before,” said Altan.
Altan knows how to bounce back though after a race where she may not have met all of her expectations.
”You just have to be aware of what you did wrong. You need to make sure you think about that in your next workout,” Altan said. “Like I know I definitely want to be doing more hills because that was hard for me. Practicing the little details will make me get better.”
Coming off of that race, Altan has some goals in mind for her team.
”As a team I think we are doing really well so far,” Altan said happily. “I think we will improve more, and hopefully we can go on to later meets like groups, the state meet, and Meet of Champions.”
Altan knows what it’s like to have to fight for the spotlight. Last year when she was a freshman, the girls team was overshadowed be the boys team because of the Rosa brothers.
”It’s always been the guys teams that have been the amazing team,” explained Altan. “They have had an amazing history, but I hope that this year the girls can hopefully live up to the North name, and we will get some more recognition.”
Altan hopes that the girls team will have a breakout year this year, and she hopes that the success will last.
”I know we are going to have a great team this year,” Altan said. “We have a young team so our future is really bright too.”
In addition to goals for her team, Altan has some hopes for herself for this year.
”Hopefully I will qualify for groups and Meet of Champs,” says Altan, “As a team last year we made it to groups so hopefully we can do it again. Individually I want to make it to Meet of Champs.”
While she can always try for her goals she also needs up to her responsibilities and expectations as a young cross country veteran.
”I feel like I have to try to encourage the freshmen and people who are just starting out and help them get used to being in the meets,” Altan said. “I know that last year I had to get used to cross country since in middle school you never run 3.1 miles for a race, so I hope to teach the others how to do it.”
One of the many things Altan hopes to pass on to the newcomers is her poise and ability to handle nerves.
”I always get nervous before races. Sometimes nerves can really ruin a race and it’s important to control them. I learned from running all year last year that when I control my nerves I do well in the race,” said Altan.
Even though Altan is just a sophomore she shows poise and maturity as she gives the team advice that she has learned from cross country.
”Just always believe that you can reach your goals. If something happens and things don’t go the way you want them to, don’t get too discouraged because you can bounce back no matter what. With hard work you can really achieve anything.”
She hopes her friends, family, and fans will follow her advice as they move on through life. She says she follows it all the time. Keep your eyes open because she is one determined cross country runner who has a bright future.