Wilsonville’s Samantha Prusse entered her junior cross country season propelled by a disappointing 15th-place finish in last year’s 5A championship meet.
“I could have done way better at state,” Prusse said. “I let people pass me up, and it was just a bad day for me.”
She started the season by winning the Northwest Oregon Conference Preview meet in 19 minutes, 55.6 seconds. Ten days later, she broke 19 minutes for the first time when she finished 11th in the Northwest Classic in 18:54.5.
That time ranks her second in 5A behind Hood River Valley junior Frances Dickinson, who clocked 18:26.1 at the Northwest Classic. Prusse believes she has much room for improvement.
“I want to get at least 18.30 for the 5K, get top three at state,” she said.
Prusse has modified her racing strategy from last season.
“I’ve been starting to go fast at the beginning of the race to be with the fast people instead of working up to them,” she said. “I have got faster so I can run with them and not behind them.”
In track, Prusse has won two NWOC district titles in the 1,500 and one in the 800. In the 5A meet as a sophomore, she placed fourth in the 800 and fifth in the 1,500.
Prusse said her favorite race is the 4x400 relay because it relieves her of some individual pressure. She said that winning or setting a personal best in the relay is more rewarding because it is achieved and celebrated as a team.
She said that running has positively impacted her life in ways she did not expect or predict. It has taught her how to strive for what she believes in, even if it seems impossible. Through overcoming injuries to putting in extra time, she has learned that it is well worth the commitment needed to excel.
Prusse hopes to pursue her childhood dream of continuing her running career after high school. With her strong academic record, she has a bright future.
Cydney Gutridge is a student at Wilsonville High School
