Katlin Gould can win as an individual or as part of a team.
Gould has impressive numbers in three individual events for the Cedar Cliff girls' track and field team. The personal bests this spring include a 59.0 in the 400-meter run, a 2:27.20 in the 800 and a 10-6 in the pole vault.
But she was also the anchor leg on the Colts' 4x400 relay team that set a school record with a 3:58.8 in the Cedar Cliff Relays on Saturday. Nicole Boldosser, Amanda Lawrence and Taylor Chapman were also on the team.
Gould earned an eighth-place medal in the PIAA-AAA girls' 400 with a 57.30 last spring.
How and when did you get your start in track and field?
I actually started in middle school. The only reason I ran track was that I didn't make the volleyball team. ... I wanted to do a really girly sport, but then I decided to do track instead. So many members of my family already did.
Who would you consider to be your mentor in this sport?
My coaches. I completely believe everything they say to me. They'll tell me the truth whether or not I want to hear it.
Relay meets, like the Cedar Cliff Relays, get more athletes involved but also use many events that don't appear the rest of the year. Do you enjoy these relay meets or find them odd?
I find it exciting, especially going into postseason meets, where you'll need all of your teammates to be ready.
Is it to your advantage or disadvantage to be in multiple events on the same day?
For the most part, it helps. If I pole vault first then I have the 400 later, or vice-versa my nerves are out, I'm stretched and I'm ready to go.
What is the key to peaking during the postseason meets?
The key part is really just listening to what coaches tell you. They have your best interests in mind. Just things liek eating healthy and getting enough sleep. The thing that as teenagers we don't listen to from our parents when they tell us.
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
I want to meet where I was last year and maybe a bit better. So, eighth in the state in the 400, or pop out a seventh place.
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