McKayla Plank


ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL, SAN JOSE

Age: 17

Grade: Senior

Personal: Lives in Los Gatos with mom; has an older brother attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

Accomplishments: McKayla has an extensive record from her four years as a member of Mitty's cross country and track teams. She broke a 14-year-old national record for the 10,000 meter run in her age group in 2002. As a sophomore, McKayla finished fourth at the cross-country Division II state meet, and finished seventh as a senior. She was the leadoff leg of the national 3,200-meter relay team and was the captain of the 2004 Central Coast Section cross-country championship team. McKayla is an honors student and was nominated for athlete of the year as a freshman. In her free time, she volunteers at the Sunny View Retirement Home.

Role model: Sarna Becker, coach. ``She is a strong Christian, supportive coach and awesome runner.''

Favorite book: ``The Silence of Great Distance: Women Running Long'' by Frank Murphy. ``It is the first book I have seen that's about women's college running.''

Favorite movie: ``Good Will Hunting''

Dream job: Working in the running department at Nike headquarters

What's next: McKayla will attend Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., in the fall.

-- May Chow