Being a part of the high school cross country team is no easy task. Cross country runners typically start their day at 5:00 AM with a three mile run before school starts at 7:25 AM. Most people would shy away from such a challenge, but for Terrell High School senior, Jennifer Ramirez, this is where she thrives.
Jennifer joined the cross country team her sophomore year after she was encouraged to try out by her soccer coach. “Coach Stephens saw something in me and invited me to try out for the team,” Jennifer shared. “I was not very fast when I first started, but I am proud to say that I have improved every year.”
Cross country is a fall sport and team members compete in 5K races at invitationals across the DFW Metroplex. As a sophomore Jennifer’s average time for a 5K - which equates to 3.1 miles - was 26 minutes. Over time she gradually improved to 23 minutes and this year she set a personal record or “PR” when she ran a personal best of 22:32 - an average of seven minutes and 45 seconds per mile.
Jennifer shared that she didn’t like running in the beginning but has come to enjoy it. “It was mentally and physically challenging, but now it has become a passion,” she said. “I enjoy pushing myself. The pain makes me better and when I do a hard workout I always feel great afterwards.”
Running has also become a family affair as Jennifer’s love for running motivated her family to join her in the activity she loves so much. “Initially my oldest brother started running with me and we began to run races together,” she said. Gradually other family members began to join her including her mom. “I love that my mom participates,” she said. “I love cheering for her and to see her out there running makes me proud.”
Now that she is a senior, Jennifer has come to realize that running gives her a sense of empowerment. “It is exhilarating,” she said. “Your mind always gives up before your body does. When I am running my mind is telling me I can’t do it, but I know I can push through the pain. I know my body can do it.”
Jennifer’s cross country coach, Joe Stephens, has nothing but praise for her. “It has been great coaching Jennifer,” he shared. “Jennifer is dependable, driven and motivated. I know she will accomplish great things.”
Jennifer’s running record has caught the attention of several colleges across the country. To date she has had recruiters reach out from Lyon College in Batesville Arkansas, West Liberty University in West Virginia and Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. Her goal after high school is to attend college, compete on the cross country team and major in graphic design.
“Running has taught me to never give up,” Jennifer said. “You might be going through a difficult situation and it might be hard at the beginning, but you have to push through it. Running has helped me to develop grit.”