Kopecky Runs to Pair of District Titles

Schulenburg senior Makena Kopecky had a stellar district track meet last week, winning the 28-2A titles in the 1600 meters (in a time of 5:57.45) and the 3200 meters (in a time of 13:11.41).

“This year Makena has had a new-found love for the sport. She really turned it on this year,” said Schulenburg girls track coach Donald Zapalac. “She had a great fall season (in cross country). She’s running personal records almost every time she steps on the track.

“I’m really proud of the leadership she’s shown with our distance crew.”

We’re proud to honor Kopecky as this week’s Fayette County Athlete of the Week.

Here’s our interview with her:

What did winning those

two district titles last week mean to you?

“It was a proud moment, all the hours I put in, a good closing moment.”

What is your favorite distance to run and why?

“The mile. It’s long but it’s way shorter than the two mile, and it gets over sooner.”

What drew you to distance running?

“My mom ran all through high school. She pushed me into it, and I really liked it. She did cross country and track. She made it to state three years in a row.”

What is the longest distance you’ve ever run?

“During a workout one time I did seven and a half miles.”

The 3200 meters lasts a while. What do you think about when running?

“I just try focus on staying in lane one because I tend to drift around the track, so I just think about staying in the inside lane.”

What us the most memorable race you’ve ever ran?

“In Columbus when I broke six minutes (in the mile) for the first time. Really memorable.”

What do you eat to fuel up in the hours leading up to races?

“Normally for breakfast I’ll do a bagel, and I eat granola bars through the day and squeezeable apple sauce. Thirty minutes before my race I have to have my squeezable apple sauce.”

What are some other school activities you are involved in?

“Track and cheerleading.”

What are your goals for the rest of the track season?

“Make it as far as I can and get as close to the school record in the mile as I can.”

You are a senior. What are your plans for after high school?

“I’m planning to go to Texas State University and study Exercise and Sports Science.”