A Conversation with Kara Newell
By David Yon
I must begin this interview by disclosing to the reader that any sense of objectivity I might have had has been totally blown away by the style and grace of this young lady. Nonetheless, the facts speak clearly about her amazing talent. She is maybe one of our town and club’s best-kept secrets. She starts out the season as the number two-ranked lady in the state for class 1A after having finished fifth in the state last year. She is also the defending state champion on the track in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Her personal bests are 17:44 for cross-country (best in Big Bend last year), 18:06 for 5K on the track, 2:22 for 800, 5:06 for 1600 and 10:58 for 3200 (best in the state at any level last year). She has also been a key figure in leading her high school, Maclay, to six state titles – three in cross country and three in track.
Photo by J
ohn Kalin
DAY: So, what is your favorite thing about running high school track and cross- country?
KN: By far it is the friendships I have made, mainly within my team, but also with girls and guys on other teams. There’s nothing like the camaraderie. I feel like they are all my brothers and sisters and I can turn to then for anything.
DAY: What would you describe as the most difficult or least favorite part of it?
KN: The most difficult part of cross-country is probably the amount of time it takes up, after school and on weekends but because I love it, I don’t regret one bit of it. My least favorite part is probably when people take it too seriously. I mean, there are people in the world dying and struggling with cancer or various trials but all we are doing is putting one foot after the other for three miles. This is a reality that Coach Droze brought to our attention – it’s not life and death.
DAY: When did you start running? What kind of changes have you seen in running since you started? Do you think more high school kids are running now?
KN: I started running in sixth grade. I had been swimming for six years and I was so tired of it. At that age, the only options for 6th graders were swimming or running so I went out for cross-country with a couple of my girlfriends. Yes, I have seen a lot of changes, especially in the increase of participants at the high school level. Not only at Maclay but also all around. Track is now the third most popular high school sport and I think that along with the people came more competition. This in turn leads to faster times and more fun races!
DAY: You are standing on the starting line in the finals of the state championships, what is going through your mind?
KN: Honestly, I am thinking, boy I wish I were nervous. I hardly ever seem to get butterflies anymore. But on a serious note, I am usually just praying that God will give me the strength to get through the race.
DAY: When did you start running? What kind of changes have you seen in running since you started? Do you think more high school kids are running now?
KN: I started running in sixth grade. I had been swimming for six years and I was so tired of it. At that age, the only options for 6th graders were swimming or running so I went out for cross-country with a couple of my girlfriends. Yes, I have seen a lot of changes, especially in the increase of participants at the high school level. Not only at Maclay but also all around. Track is now the third most popular high school sport and I think that along with the people came more competition. This in turn leads to faster times and more fun races!
DAY: Would you take us through one of your races? For example maybe you could describe last year’s state championship for the 1600 or 3200?
KN: Last year, the 1600 and the 3200 were races run with two entirely different strategies. In the 1600, I was to push the middle two laps as hard as I could, seeing as I have very little sprint speed in order to hold off the girls with amazing speed (like Zita Magloire). In the 3200, I just went out there like it was any old race. When Christa Benton went out in like world record pace I sort of sat back and thought, wow if she holds on this will be a great race to watch (from behind). Well, later on I had almost given up and thought well, maybe God just wants me to come in second, but I will not come in second without a fight. A couple of laps later I noticed I was right behind her so I just went from there, anxious to see what would happen.
DAY: You are part of a very athletic family. Brent and Jane (Johnson, Kara’s parents) are both preparing for the Chicago Marathon, your mom has won lots of local races (including Tom Brown last Saturday), and didn’t your sister, Alexis, once beat Alan Webb in a race? How does that affect your running? Extra pressure?
KN: Yes, my studette of a sister once did beat Webb in the breaststroke! But coming from an athletic background has had its ups and downs. When I first started running I hated it because my mom put it on my list of “chores” to do daily. Then when running became less of a chore and more of an option, I began to like it. And once again, the people I ran with made it all worthwhile, especially my coach, Gary Droze. His main goal is to having people running for a lifetime and he has definitely done that with me, God willing. Now, having an athletic family is a bonus because we all can do Turkey Trot together or go out and see our friends at Forest Meadows together. It’s a common bond and we all understand the semi-psychotic nature of a runner.
DAY: Lots of GWTC members look at results in road races and think not much new blood is coming into the sport. What do you see from your perspective?
KN: I’m not so sure about that because, although a lot of people have tested positive for drugs, competition at the high school level has really increased. I can remember seventh grade when my 12:49 two-mile won districts. That would rarely happen now. Also state records are being broken and various improvements are being seen all throughout the state, although maybe not in Tallahassee.
DAY: How well do you think GWTC does at supporting youth running, especially high school programs?
KN: Gosh, not to sound like I am kissing up, but I think GWTC does so much more then we high school runners deserve. The Chenoweth Fund is such a blessing to the recipients and the Club really praises the high school athletes when they really don’t need to. With younger runners, I think the summer track program is a great way to ease kids into running and it is so low key and fun that it won’t scare anyone away.
DAY: If you were President of GWTC, what two things would you do to better promote youth running?
KN: I think a dance would be a lot of fun for the runners in town, high school or whatever age. Also I would continue to do the summer track for the youth, I think that is key.
DAY: What are expecting to accomplish in your senior season at Maclay? CC? Track?
KN: I have great expectations for my team and myself this season. I know if I fully rely on God, anything is possible so I just want to see how far He wants me to go. I really would like for our team to stay healthy and win state (CC that is). Episcopal is a very strong team but I think if our girls stay healthy, we have a fighting chance at state. I also want for our team to be admired as a gracious team, whether in winning or losing. As for my own goals, I would love to be a state champion in CC and to repeat in track. I would also like to make it to Footlocker Nationals this year in CC.
DAY: What has it been like to run for Coach Droze? What do you thinks makes his programs so successful?
KN: Wow, this is a tough one in that I could go on for days. Running for Coach Droze has been the best opportunity of my life. I wouldn’t change it for any other running experience. When I first came out, he made running so much fun with the workouts, and Popsicles, and water balloon fights, and his corny jokes. Also, he never pushed me to levels I didn’t want to go to. He waited for me to develop the initiative to train harder and run like one of the best, even though he knew it would help the team if I worked a little more in my younger years. I have loved running at Maclay for the friendships not only with the teammates but also the coaches, Gary and Manny and now John. He never has any selfish ambitions, which is why I think he is so successful. He puts the runners as people first and not as “his warriors.” We are nonetheless warriors in our races but that is only because we choose to be. As I said, Gary’ goal is to make running something enjoyable and not something to look back upon and regret – he wants you to run forever.
DAY: What are your plans for running after high school? Are you into the college search yet?
KN: I would love to run competitively in college. I have begun my search but I am no where near finding an answer. Anyone have any recommendations?
DAY: Who do you consider to be your role models?
KN: My Mom! She is a great person to look up to. She is well liked by everyone and has a well-balanced life. Running is important, but it is not everything. She is also very determined. And she has always been there for me since the day I was born.