Lilly Jensen '24 Recruiting Profile

2023 Season Update!!

Going into the 2023 track season, I was feeling strong and excited. My indoor season started well, and outdoor was looking to be a fun season. On our long run the week before our first outdoor meet, I had a significant ankle sprain that took me out for 2 ½ weeks. This meant no training or racing. After missing these parts of the season, I saw my goals for the 800 fade. While I couldn’t achieve what I wanted in my favorite race, I filled spots for our team by running on the 4x200 and 4x100 relay teams. At our conference meet I ran these relays and had a great race for the 800 considering the amount of training I missed. Our 4x200 team made it to state and it was an awesome experience. This season did not play out how I had intended it to, but I learned a lot and improved my mental strength and speed. I am excited to see what happens in my senior season. 

Running didn't become a big part of my life until seventh grade. I couldn’t play soccer anymore, so my dad told me I should try cross country because I loved to run. Quickly, I realized the talent and passion that I had for the sport. I became the number one runner on our team and I caught the attention of our coaches-not just from my running, but also through the leadership I showed with the team. Cross country continually shows me what working hard and showing up to compete is. I work hard on our team, leading warm-ups and being positive on meet and workout days. I have been taught that working hard and taking initiative will help me to take control of my own thoughts and will help me reach my goals. I lead conversations about daily and seasonal goals for our team and the individuals. 

I am a part of many extracurricular groups in our community, including a non-profit organization with select student and community board members, our school’s first a cappella group, musicals, and the president of my church’s youth group. In college, I want to study psychology so I can become a family/child and teen therapist. I also want to study Spanish so I am able to reach more people in my mission.