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Interval Session #86 - Kayla Hale

By Dave Devine - November 27, 2008

At the 2007 Foot Locker South Regional in North Carolina, Holy Trinity Academy FL junior Kayla Hale was certainly a solid bet to get back to the Foot Locker Finals she'd first qualified for as a tenth grader.  But few expected her to get within a step of winning, trailing '06 FL champ Kathy Kroeger by less than a second to the line and beating fellow Floridians Ashley Brasovan and Emilie Amaro, whom she hadn’t topped during the season.  Hale went on to finish 19th at that 2007 Foot Locker Final, and a full year later the now-senior is readying for another shot at qualifying for San Diego with the Foot Locker South regional looming this weekend.

That breakthrough run at McAlpine Park was certainly a highlight for Hale, but the most impressive accomplishment of her young career may have come last weekend, when she nailed down her fourth-straight Florida 1A state title, joining Brasovan and two others in Florida history in achieving that feat.  Hale's four years have been marked with that sort of consistency and steady improvement.  She was third in the 2007 Nike Indoor 2 Mile in 10:34, and a year later was 4th in 10:31.  She's been a steady top-10 performer at the annual Great American XC Invitational, with consecutive finishes of 4th (18:38), 6th (18:28) and 10th (18:43) in the Girls Race of Champions.  In a stellar senior class of female Floridians which includes defending FL champ Ashley Brasovan and FL-qualifier Britanny Koziara, Hale is certainly one of the shining stars.

DyeStat senior editor Dave Devine gets in some oceanside intervals with one of the best from the Sunshine state.
1) First of all, congratulations on winning your fourth-straight Florida state cross country championship.  I understand only four high school runners in Florida history have done that, and you and Ashley Brasovan are two of them, accomplishing it on the same day!  Can you talk about what that achievement means for you, and whether it's something you thought you'd accomplish after getting that first one as a ninth grader?  Were any of those four state wins an especially close call?

Honestly, I think when I won my first individual title for cross country in ninth grade, I was living in the  moment and not really thinking about the future. It was not really until I won last year that I guess I realized I had a shot at winning all four years. I did feel a little bit of pressure this year, but I get nervous every year.  I knew that I could do it, but I don't think I've ever thought it was a given I would win. None of my state cross country races ever came down to a sprint finish, but I've been pushed by some very talented runners, especially in the first half of the race. Ashley and I have become good friends, so it's really cool that we get to share this accomplishment.

2) There are many cases of girls who are highly successful as freshmen or sophomores, but struggle to match those performances later in their high school careers.  You've been very consistent: kept on winning, kept on improving.  What are some of your keys to this consistency and long-term success through the high school years?  Can you point to a few specific things that have helped you stay on top in Florida 1A for 4 years?

I think it has really come down to the relationship that I have formed with my coach, Doug Butler. For the last seven years, he has been there for me and always had my best interest in mind. It has been a natural progression with mileage and intensity, and he definitely knows what he is doing. I have so much trust in him; he wants to work with me to make me the best I can be, not just for right now, but for the future. I am very blessed and grateful for that!

3) You were part of that loaded girls race at Great American this fall.  How was it competing against a nearly Foot Locker-caliber field in a mid-season meet?  Do you feel like it was a good chance to see how you measured up at that time of the year against top girls from around the country, especially some of the ones you might see at Foot Locker South this week?

Every year, Great American is an extremely competitive race. I am honored to be grouped with the amazing talent that was present. I was not completely satisfied with my race, but I feel like over the weeks, I have been training at the level that I need to be. Hopefully, I can peak at the right time. It's always a great chance to race against some of the best, and it's nice to see some of the girls that I haven't seen in a while!

4) Flashing back to last year's Foot Locker South Regional-- that was a major breakthrough race for you, finishing such a close runner-up to Kathy Kroeger (right). What did that race do for your overall confidence as a runner, and how have you carried the lessons or the motivation from that performance into the 2008 season?

Footlocker South last year was definitely a breakthrough race for me. Coach Butler knew that I could go for the win, but it wasn't until that last straightaway that I realized I actually had a chance. My performance definitely gave me the confidence that I can compete with those girls.

5) Florida had such an amazing group of girls last year, with you, Ashley, Emilie Amaro and Brittany Koziara all qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals.  Is there a comraderie or closeness that has developed between the group, especially the three who returned as seniors this year?  I recall that you and Ashley were good friends and did some training together at camp and during the 2007 season leading to Foot Locker.  Is that something that's continued this year as well?  Have you learned things from the other girls about racing, running, training etc?

Oh yes, the Florida girls have most definitely become friends! I got to know Emilie from the first year we both qualified, and it was awesome sharing that experience with four Florida girls. Our state was well-represented at Nationals, that's for sure. Brittany, Ashley, and I have hung out and developed a friendship. We all pretty much have our own training schedules, but it's nice to get together just to hang out, and of course some running will happen :)

6) As a two-time Foot Locker finalist, what things have you enjoyed about your trips out to San Diego, and what things would you do differently if you could?  Are there things about the FL weekend that get you excited and motivated to work hard during the season to make sure you get back there again?

It's hard to even explain my experiences at Foot Locker. Two of the best weekends ever! I have never had my best race at Balboa, so I guess you could say I would have liked to perform a little better, but I am just so grateful to have had the opportunity to stand on the starting line with those girls. All the hard work and early mornings are worth it when you get to go there! It's more than the race, the whole weekend is truly an experience I will never forget...and I hope to get a chance to go again!
7)  What is the environment like at Holy Trinity Academy?  Can you talk about the assistance and support you receive from Coach Butler, and what other avenues of support you might have as an elite high school athlete, either from family or friends?

I've been there since 4th grade, and Holy Trinity has been a great place to grow up. Coach Butler (left) is more than just a coach. Hardly a day goes by that I don't talk to him, and usually he's out there running with us. For the last couple of years, he's been my training partner, and its helped so much to have him pushing me. I have the most amazing support from family and friends ever! The parent support from our team is phenomenal and my friends are the best ever. The last two years, some of the boys (Kyle, Bret, Adam, and Kyle) even came to San Diego! My parents and brother and even extended family are ALWAYS supportive, and I know that no matter what, they will always love me. To say the least, I am very blessed.

8) When you're not running and studying, what other things do you like to do with your free time?  Melbourne is right along the ocean--are you someone who likes to surf or hang out at the beach?  What could we find you doing the day after the season is over, when you finally have some time to relax?

Free time?... Between running and school, there's not a ton of that, but when I do have it, I am involved with my church and like to just hang out with my friends. The beach is less than a mile away, and my friends and I hung out there a good amount over the summer. I have a great time during the season, but I am looking forward to some time to relax. Once the season is over and school decisions have been made, I just want to make the most of the time I have left before I'm off to college. I'm planning on hanging out a ton with everyone, having fun running,  and just enjoying it all...I know the year will be over before I know it!!!

Photos: top, Pat Davey (2008 Great American); middle, Ken Charnock (2007 FL South), bottom, Donna Dye (2007 FLN)


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