Fourth in last year's Texas UIL 3A state cross country race, Liberty Hill sophomore McKynzie Hill has only continued that progression into her second season of high school cross country. She has opened the season on fire with 3 invitational wins including a sub 12 two mile at her home meet. Mile focused on the track with a 5:12 best from the 2014 outdoor season, Hill has aspirations to be a top state contender in 4A along with her Liberty Hill squad this fall. Check out our interview with this Future Star of XC presented by Hoka One One below!
How did you first get started running and why?
In 6th grade my P.E. coach, Coach Bates, encouraged me to start running outside of school, I didn’t take her advice, but I ran extra in the period and sometimes stayed after school to practice track with the guys, I was averaging 3 miles a day back then.
What would you consider as your best race from your freshmen year and why?
My best race from freshman year was definitely McNeil, not state but another meet. I got 2nd to Crawford and I ran a pretty fast time (11:54). I’m looking to improve on my times from last year.
What kind of training did you put in over the summer months?
I was invited to several track clubs but this summer I just stuck with my team. We elect a senior captain from our school and they lead summer practices at our local park. We averaged about 5 miles a day.
How do you feel you have improved as a runner or learned most since your freshmen year?
I feel I have gained more muscle definition and I am more mature than last year. I definitely have improved my first two meet times and I’m looking for further improvement down the road.
Last year's Liberty Hill girls finished 3rd in the Texas 3A state race and returns their entire top 7. How does the team feel about their chances to compete for a state title this fall?
Taking the team to state this year is something we are all looking forward to. The top runners are still here and only one will graduate this year. Our chances are looking good, we’re predicted to be first. I feel that we will do very well in state if the girls all have a good day.
Two races and two wins to start this season. Do you feel really good about the beginning of your season, especially dropping so much time from last year's times in the same meets?
I do feel good about the beginning of this season, the only thing besides racing the clock that could help me improve is if I have a challenge to run with. If I was given a girl who ran faster than me to train with, then I would improve as well. I am looking to join a club this summer in order to be more challenged.
Being at a smaller school in Texas, you typically only run 2 mile distance in cross country meets. Do you prefer racing 2 miles or would you like more opportunities to race at 5K distance?
Two miles is definitely harder to train for, everything is quality as opposed to quantity. If we are moved to 5A my senior year and we end up running 5k’s then I would look forward to training with the guys, who could help improve my times. I have run three mile races before and I prefer them.
What are your top goals for this cross country season?
My top goals for this season are as follows: Place in the top ten at the state meet, improve my times from last year, and break11:50.
What times would you like to run in the spring during outdoor track?
This year I am moving from the 3200 to the 800. I am still running the 1600 but I’m cutting the distance in half to focus on my main race (the 1600). Training for the 3200 was not very beneficial to my mile splits and now training for the 800 will hopefully speed me up. A good time this year for my mile would be 5:10 and a good 800 would be 2:20.
When you graduate in 2017, what do you want to look back and be able to say you accomplished in your high school running?
Honestly, I want to be able to say I won state in either 4A cross country or the 1600. That would make all the training worth it.