Olivia Mergenthaler '16 Recruiting Profile

My name is Olivia Mergenthaler. I am currently a senior at Lincoln-Way North High School. My goal for the future is to run cross country at the collegiate level and study nursing. Everyday I strive to get better in running on and off the course. My main goal is not only to improve as a runner, but to improve mentally and physically. I am optimistic to my team mates and strive for success. I work hard not only at practice and on the course , but also with my academics. I currently take three AP classes as well as a medical anatomy class. I am involved in Pi Sigma Pi, student newspaper, Junior Class officer, and Link Crew. I am a two sport athlete at my high school participating in cross country and track. I have been a softball player my whole life.  Junior year I decided to try something new. With no training over the summer I went out for the cross country team. I started my season out with a time of 25:30 in the three mile. I absolutely loved the sport. With that in mind I worked hard every single day at practice and continually ran PRs. My season PR for my junior year was 21:36. After my successful junior year cross country season I knew this was the sport I loved. I trained hard over the winter participating in indoor track. That spring I continued to play softball receiving 1st team  All Conference. After my softball season was over, I trained seven days a week with the Lincoln Way North cross country team. I ran about 35 miles per week on average. I started off my senior year season with a time of 22:30. At this point I was on the fence about playing softball or running cross country in college. I gave up three meets to go to fall softball tournaments. I came back to run the Benet Academy meet with a record PR of 20:27. Not only was I in awe about my performance, but I knew that this was my pride and joy. I ran in the conference meet with my best time yet, 20:16, I ran my heart out receiving 17th place in conference. Not only did my times improve, but my teammates made me stronger through all of the tough workouts to passing out after meets. I plan to run my first high school track season this 2016 spring season. I have so much more improvement left in me. I cannot wait for more seasons of cross country in my collegiate years.