Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Shawano senior Carrie Young competes in the 4x800-meter relay at Tuesday’s Bay Conference Relays. Young helped the relay team to second in the event.
Athlete: Carrie Young
Sport: Track and field
School: Shawano Community High School
Year: Senior
Shawano Community High School senior Carrie Young is hoping to make her final track and field season her best one yet.
She has started the season with several strong finishes. She most recently helped the girls distance medley relay team to first and the 4x400- and 4x800-meter relay teams to second at the Bay Conference Relays on Tuesday.
Q: When did your interest in track and field begin?
A: My older brother, Alex, ran track all through high school and was extremely successful. He has always been my role model, therefore he was my inspiration to run track. I have been running since I was very little, so being a confident runner helped give me the extra push to join. It turned out in the end that I absolutely love the sport, so I continued to run through middle school and high school.
Q: What is your favorite part about a track and field meet or the track and field season?
A: My favorite part about a meet is seeing my team be successful. Seeing someone take first, a relay take first, or even the team taking first. However, my favorite event in a meet is the 4x4. I sometimes run it if we have girls who will run it with me, but just being a supporter of the event is insanely fun. The screaming and the mutual love for the sport comes out during this race. The lights on the football field are on by then and the pressure of the runners is high — its amazing. I am getting goosebumps just talking about it.
Q: How did you train for the track and field season?
A: I train for track by staying active. I am in three sports — cross country, basketball and track. So, being in a sport at all times forces me to continue to run, lift and stay in shape. On top of that, my lifestyle is very active. My family and I love to go out and do things in the community, which helps me not just sit on the couch all day when I am off of a sport.
Q: What goals do you hope to reach at the end of the season?
A: My goal this year is to make it to state. I have never gone in track, and that is the ultimate goal. The exciting part is, my 4x8 has a good chance of doing very well. Our mentality is to go all the way and that helps us work hard to get to that top spot. All four of us were in cross country together, so we all know what we need to do to get better everyday so that we can run together on June 1 in La Crosse.
Q: As a senior, what do you do to help some of your younger teammates?
A: I try to be the best role model and leader as I can. I always push myself to the limit during practice, I try to push them by giving them criticism along with compliments, and I also try to be fun. I crack jokes and laugh a lot during practice to lighten it up a bit when we are doing a hard workout. I take my role as a leader seriously, but I love to make the sport fun while doing it. I have impressive underclassmen this year, and I want them to grow so when I come back from college they are winning races and meets.
Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Shawano track and field team?
A: It is so hard to chose one favorite, but if I had to I would flash back to my sophomore year. It was (coach Dave) Hanssen’s first year and we always did an Easter egg hunt. However, this year it was cold and misty so it made it a little more difficult. The goal is to run and find the eggs but it was so cold and rainy everyone was falling and getting wet. It made it entertaining. On the running side of things, last year was a memorable year. I had lost 4-5 seconds on my 400 time and made it to sectionals. It gave me the drive for this year to continue to drop those times and make it farther this year.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?
A: I love to hang out with my friends and family. They are my support system and I appreciate them more than anything. My boyfriend, Dakota (Bazile), my parents (Craig and Aleta), and my brother are my No. 1 fans in everything I do. I just love sitting down and spending time with them. I also have two amazing puppies who I play with and take on walks, and I am just so lucky to have amazing people in my life.
Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?
A: My favorite show at the moment is an older one. It is called “Long Island Medium.” Theresa is amazing to me and I just love watching her show and seeing her read people. It’s interesting to me.
My favorite movie, I have two. My favorite movie ever is “Grease.” I know every word of every line in that movie, just ask my family. However, I also love the movie “13 Days” which is about the Cuban missile crisis.
My favorite musical artist is impossible to choose. I have been listening to a lot of Dan and Shay lately, but anything country is right up my ally.
Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.
A: I went to Germany my sophomore year, and it was amazing!
Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?
A: God has a plan for me. Trust it.
It is my motto I live by 100 percent. Keeps my grounded and not too overwhelmed with life.