Limbaugh Runs to District CC Title & County Player of the Week Award
Schulenburg High School cross-country runner Taylor Limbaugh recently had a season to remember. She won the District 28-2A individual running title Monday as she looks to return to the state cross country meet (as she did last year)
“She’s been here two years and she’s really made all of us better,” said girls and boys cross-country head coach Rich Hoogendorn. “She has a tremendous work ethic. When you’re around her, you just want to run an extra lap. You want to do a little bit more because she’s always at it. Her presence here has improved the entire program just because she works so hard. She’s really been a blessing for the whole program.”
Limbaugh has also worked her way to a Player of the Week nomination.
Question: What was it like winning the individual district title?
Answer: “It was pretty awesome winning district. It’s something that I’ve definitely been working for. I’ve had really good training and really good races. I was able to pull off a win with a pretty decent time that I’m proud of.”
Question: How is the state meet atmosphere and mindset different than other competitive atmospheres?
Answer: “There’s a lot more pressure and a lot more stress. It’s super fun to be able to go to Round Rock and have that experience because there’s so many people and so much pressure to do well. There’s definitely a difference. There’s more of a buzz around it.”
Question: With a district title and state meet appearance already in your grasp, how does this change your expectations this year?
Answer: “I’ve had my expectations set pretty high throughout all four years of high-school. I’ve always wanted to strive and do better. My sophomore year, I had the opportunity to win the region 1 cross-country meet in 3A. That’s my biggest accomplishment so far. Last year, I had kind of a rough year. This year, I’m definitely hoping to keep winning throughout regionals and maybe even pull off a win at state.”
Question: What’s the most rewarding part about being a cross-country runner?
Answer: “Knowing after you crossed that line, that was all that you had. Cross-country is really different from other sports because talent only gets you so far. With cross-country, it’s training. It’s how many miles you do when no ones looking. That really shows off in races. After crossing that line, knowing all those miles I put in during the summer. The miles that I ran when I didn’t even want to get out of bed really paid off and really helped me get across that line and have the title that I do.”
Question: What are some ways in which you rely on your teammates in the sport of cross-country that you might not see in other sports?
Answer: “A misconception about cross-country is that you don’t need teammates, which is completely wrong. Cross-country is such a team sport. Having those people to just kind of calm your nerves even in the middle of a race and push you when you might not want to push yourself is extremely important.”
Question: How would you analyze your performance in the state meet last year?
Answer: “If I’m being completely honest, I was kind of disappointed in my performance. I definitely could’ve done certain parts better. I think I might’ve went out just a little too fast. I should’ve sustained the pace I was going a little bit further. I probably would’ve finished a higher position. I did have a good meet. It wasn’t bad by any means, but there’s definitely certain parts that I wish I could’ve done better. Looking on to regionals and state, I’m really hoping to focus on those areas, excel, and have a good outcome.”
Question: What kind of mental notes or thoughts go through your head during a meet in order to perform at your best?
Answer: “Whenever I’m in a meet, mentality is huge. What I struggle with most is having the right mindset. Being confident going into different races, especially the bigger races. What I’m really focusing on this year is having that positive mindset, stepping up on that start line and knowing I did more miles than anyone else this year. I worked just as hard and way harder than anyone else this year. Putting that into my performance during the race and really just showing out.”
Question: Can you describe the kind of role conditioning plays in cross-country?
Answer: “Conditioning and endurance are huge factors in crosscountry. With the smaller school divisions, since it is only a two mile race, it’s not as important as a 5k. Because it is still a long distance, it’s important to have that endurance. This year, I’ve definitely benefited from running anywhere from 8 to 16 miles for my long runs so I can get that endurance. During the race whenever I’m really struggling, I think back to those longer runs and I can definitely feel the benefit in my lungs, legs, and my whole body. Endurance is really important.”
Question: Who’s a sports figure you look up to the most and why?
Answer: “Sifan Hassan. She’s a figure that’s not well-known unless you’re really into the track and field community. This past year, she won the world track and field championships in both the 10k and the 1 mile events, which has never been done before by a man or a woman. It’s pretty impressive and you usually don’t see it especially at the professional level. The range of being able to go from so short to so long and still being the best in the world. I definitely look up to her as she’s just a very positive person. Overall, she’s a strong, great female figure.”
Question: What would you say are some differences between winning an individual title and a team title?
Answer: “Both have great pay off and are so amazing. With a team title, I feel like it’s so much more because you know that all those hard workouts where you and your other teammates were sweating together really pays off. To know that it wasn’t just you, it was everyone on the team giving it all they had. Whereas an individual title, it’s just you. You have yourself to share it with, compared to a team title where you can share it with everyone.”
With hard work and perseverance, Limbaugh has her eyes set on bringing in more championships to Schulenburg.