Catalina Foothills' Taylor McCue is ranked #4 in Division II right now. She is also ranked as the #6 junior girl in all of Arizona, and the #13 ranked girl runner in Arizona overall.
Taylor took the time to answer some questions for us about herself and the season thus far - here are her responses:
What are your XC goals for this season?
Break 18 minutes in the 5k
What has been the strangest thing about training for XC during the pandemic?
Not being able to go inside our school, and use the weight room or stretch.
Who is your toughest competition?
Kylie Wild
How are you liking racing in these waves at meets this season?
I like the waves because it takes away some of the pre-race nerves, however, it's hard and confusing. You catch up to people from the other waves, and competition is not as hard with the waves.
What is the biggest difference you in racing last year to this year?
I love running even more than last year, and even though racing isn't the same, I'm so happy I can still race and do the sport I love.
Who is your biggest fan/supporter? How do he/she/they show you this support?
My coach is my biggest supporter. He talks to me before the race and gives me the best advice, and cheers me on the whole race. I can come to him for anything, and he always supports my running.
My team is my biggest supporter. My team is family to me, and we all support each other. We cheer everyone on as loud as we can and wait at the finish line for each other after we finish a race. No matter what, they make me feel better if I had a bad race, and push me to do my best.
How was your summer training affected by Covid this summer? What was similar from previous years? What was different about it?
Our coaches could not come to summer practices, and runners had to run in small groups, rather than a pack. We also had to socially distance constantly and were not allowed to train at the school.
How long have you been running? What do you enjoy most about running/xc?
I have been running for as long as I can remember. My favorite part is feeling that runners high, where you have never felt faster, and feel like nothing could stop you.
Is there a song, movie, show, or saying that motivates you or keeps you focused on your goals? If yes, what is it and why?
The Movie Mcfarland
What's your pre-race meal?
A spinach chicken salad and plain noodles from Sauce.
Do you have any superstitions before the night of a race? (Any clothing you have to wear? Song you have to listen to? Food you need to eat? Etc.) If yes, how did this start?
I have a lucky running necklace that I could never race without. It is my good luck charm, that my sister gave to me after my first 6th-grade cross country meet. I hold it before the gun goes off, and without it, know I would do horrible.
Anything else you wish to share with us that you think is important for our readers to know?
Not stopping until I am in the Olympics!!
