For some people, they try a sport and they realize it’s not for them. Others, they fall in love with it. Freshman Madie Boreman falls into this second category. Boreman has been running cross country since fourth grade.
“I ran one race in fourth grade before I actually started,” Boreman said. “I did really good, and I’ve stuck with it since.”
Boreman has run with the varsity girls cross country team all year, being the only freshman girl to do so. She has placed in the top 10 at every meet, including taking fourth at Friday Nights Lights, the Cedar Park Invitational and the McNeil Invitational and winning the USTA meet.
“Madie is a talented runner,” cross country coach Kelly Thompson said. “Her wins at district and regionals were good for her, but it’s almost hard to learn from winning. Her two losses during the season will be used in our preparation for state.”
Boreman won the district meet two weeks ago at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, Oct. 26. She finished the three-mile race in 18:10.90, a full 21 seconds before Dripping Springs’ Jenny Fritz.
At regionals Saturday in San Antonio, she won the varsity race in 18:17.00, 13 and a half seconds before Cedar Park’s Brittany Innis. Of the top 10 runners at regionals, six girls, including Boreman, were from District 25-4A.
“This week will focus a bit more on speed, and a lot more on the mental aspects of the race, “ cross country coach Kelly Thompson said. “She has run with the best girls in the state on several occasions and has held her own.”
Boreman will compete at the state meet Saturday. Boreman’s goal is to place in the top three at state, and then compete at the Nike South and Footlocker national competitions.
“I feel really good right now,” Boreman said. “Regionals wasn’t best but I’m going to be running with the boys [this week]. They really push me and challenge me and I’m hoping to do real good.”
The cross country booster club and members of the team will attend the meet Saturday to cheer Boreman on. They’ve created commemorative T-shirts to wear along the route and encouraging students and faculty to come out and support Boreman.
“The Rouse team feels that this is the year,” booster club president Mike Kastens said. “After many hours and miles logged with Madie everyone is thinking she’ll pull it off.”
Boreman runs in the 4A race at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock at 12:30 p.m.
