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Future Stars Spotlight presented by Hoka One One with Patriot (VA) sophomore Rachel McArthur, who is enjoying a breakthrough second season of high school cross country capped with winning the Virginia 6A North Regional Meet on Wednesday with the 22nd fastest time ever on the historic Burke Lake Park 2.98 mile course in Northern Virginia with a 17:21 victory. Her season best 5K performance of 17:51 at the Third Battle Invite ranks third fastest in the state of Virginia behind only two nationally ranked runners in Libby Davidson and Weini Kelati. After running a 11:06 3200 and 5:07 1600 on the track as a freshmen, McArthur has continued her progression into this fall to emerge as one of the top young distance runners in the South.
Future Stars Interview with Rachel McArthur (Patriot VA)
How did you first get started running?
I first started running small races in elementary school with the Running Store Club and I also did a few small races with the private school I went to until 4th grade. I ran more in 6th grade, on the track team, after my older sister Kim did track.
What kind of times and training did you run in middle school?
In middle school, I always ran the mile for all of my meets. I did a lot intense runs at practice, but never anything much more than a mile or two. In 6th grade, I was running a mile at around 5:50, 7th grade I ran a 5:35/40 and in 8th grade I ran a 5:28.
What were your expectations of your freshmen of running and how did you feel the year went overall?
As a freshman, I expected to do well. I knew my time was fast for my age so I was hoping I would fit in well with all of my other teammates. I had never run cross country before either, so I wasn't sure what to expect but I ended up loving XC and I feeI I had a very successful year.
What would you say was your best race moment or running achievement as a freshmen and why?
I would say my best race as a freshman was the district cross country meet at Bull Run, because it was my first real victory. I had done well at my other races, but districts was a bigger deal for me because of how much faster and more competitive it was.
What did you learn from you first state meet races and experiences as a freshmen?
At states, I realized just how fast everyone was and how close all of the competition was. It was a good experience as a freshman because I learned new strategies and racing techniques that really helped me get faster with each race.
Earlier in the season, you raced at Burke Lake at the Monroe Parker Invite but was under the weather and didn't perform as well. Were you looking forward to running on that course again this week at regionals and be healthy for it?
Earlier in the season at Burke Lake, I did have pneumonia and didn't race as well as I had hoped to. However, I did get the opportunity to sort of "preview" the course and the competition when I ran it. I was looking forward to the regional race because of the fact that I hadn't really raced on it yet and I had a good idea of how fast it was going to be.
You really got on a roll mid-season with a good time down in Cary then a win at Glory Days in the mud and posting a sub 18 minute 5K PR at Third Battle. What do you think changed for you to start running so well during that stretch?
I think that I got a lot faster this season because I gained so much confidence in myself. I started to push myself harder because of how confident I was. When I realized that my times were much faster than I expected, I knew that I had a shot at winning some bigger races. I love the feeling of winning, so I thought of all the bigger races I could win and I pushed myself even harder, because want to win that badly.
How pleased were you with being able to repeat as a conference champion in cross country? Would you like to become a 4-time conference champ when you graduate?
I was very pleased with my repeat as a conference champion this year because I saw that my time had improved, and it was good to know that I was only getting faster. I would really like to be a 4-year conference champion, and hold that title as my own.
Did you have a lot of nerves going in being considered as one of the favorites to win?
Being considered as one of the favorites to win did make me a bit nervous but I was also confident in myself. My coach helped assure me that if I could run the same times that I had been running, then I would be fine.
How did the regional race unfold for you to win? How was your start and first mile? When did you realize that you were going to win?
Going into the regional race, I was a little nervous because of how close the other girls were to me. I started off the first mile like I do in any other race. It was a fast pace, and I tried to stay with the front pack. When I was a little past the 2 mile marker, I knew I could win. I gave it my all because I wanted to win so badly.
The 6A North Region is arguably the state of Virginia's toughest and deepest regions in high school cross country, so do you take extra pride in your win today?
I took pride in my win at regionals and was pleased with how I did. I did take a lot of pride in my win because I know that the 6A region has some tough competition, but I also compare how I do with other regions in the state. Either way, I was happy with my time and placement.
Is it a big adjustment for you this year starting to believe and realize that you can win major races like you have done? Have you felt like you changed the way you view yourself in relation to your competition?
It has been a big adjustment, coming from freshman year where I ran around 18:30 and now suddenly I'm running under 18 minutes. I never expected myself to be running these times but I feel that with each race that I run, I'm getting more and more comfortable with it. I view myself as a much more competitive runner this year, because I love the feeling when I do well in a race and now I'm realizing that I have the potential to win big races like regionals so I'm pushing myself even harder to do well.
Does yesterday's win at the regional meet start to make you grow greater confidence in your chances of winning potentially a Virginia state title as well as compete well at the NXN regional? Does overcoming the pressure of being favorite and winning at regionals also help?
My win at regionals did boost my confidence and I now see that I do have a shot at winning the a state title and competing well at the NXN regional meet. After my race, a lot of the pressure was lifted off of me because I saw that if I could do it then, I could possibly do it again.
What is one major area that you would like to improve upon as a runner over the next few years of high school?
I would like to improve upon many areas as a runner, but my main goal is to only get faster.
Do you have goals for running beyond high school?
As of now, I don't really have a plan for my running career out of high school. It depends on how much faster I get in the next, upcoming years.
Do you smile in every race?
In almost all of my races, yes, I usually smile so that everyone can see that for me, running isn't only about going fast or doing well, its also about having fun.
