Runner Anna Wells profile

AWE-INSPIRING ANNA

Cross country and track athlete shares memories and running advice NYLA MARCOTT on the Western Kentucky University team, and the disappointment of not performing MANAGING & NEWS EDITOR and her mother later ran professionally. as well as she had hoped. “Anna has literally grown up, from the “I have a hard time keeping a positive W hen the track season abruptly ended womb, around running,” said her mother, attitude and I talk negatively about myself,” due to the coronavirus, freshman Christina Wells. “Even as a baby, Anna loved Wells said. “If I do not perform the way I Anna Wells found a new path. She formed her rides in the jogging stroller or hanging want to, I get upset.” a small team of fellow runners, discovered out with me in the basement as I trained on Despite injuries and disappointments, she new places to run and practiced various the treadmill.” never quits. workout routines. Nothing stops her from Wells began participating in cross country “Anna is really determined; she doesn’t her quest to continually improve her running at her elementary school in fourth grade. give up and she really gives it her all and tries performance. “I immediately loved it. I had an amazing her hardest,” said freshman Thaïs Rolly, one

Wells competes in both cross country coach that made sure that we both worked of her teammates. and track. At the cross country state hard and had fun,” Wells said. “Once a week Wells works hard to be competitive and to championship last fall, Wells ranked fourth we had game day, and after every practice we consistently improve. During the season, she for freshman runners and 25th out of all got popsicles.” trains six days a week. cross country runners. Running has been an Five years later, Wells is still running. “Anna has always been one of the most important part of Wells’ life and has helped This year, she ran for McLean’s cross country competitive people I’ve known. And like most her to make new friends after transferring to team and planned to participate in track competitive people, she is never satisfied and new schools four years in a row. in the spring. One of her most memorable always believes she can do more,” Christina

“One of the best parts of cross country moments was when the cross country team Wells said. “As an 11-year-old, she asked for is that you have instant friends,” Wells said. found out they were going to go to the state a pull-up bar for Christmas. Her strength is “Everyone is so supportive of each other and championship. her strength.” the team camaraderie is so strong. It’s a great “Performing well as a team is very Although she was unable to participate in way to meet new people.” exciting and special. This year the McLean track due to the cancellation of the season, Wells’ interest girls [varsity team] won our first ever district Wells is doing workouts and runs with three in cross country championship, finished second at regionals, of her teammates to prepare for the upcoming was sparked by went to state for the first time ever and cross country season. Wells completes her parents’ finished seventh at state,” Wells said. “I am workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays and experience in so happy I got to be a part of the incredible runs all the other days of the week. the sport. season.” “I am continuing to train as I would during Both of her Wells encourages anyone interested in the track season, which I believe will help me parents ran cross country to join the team. She believes it in cross country,” Wells said. “Running with offers multiple benefits. a few of my teammates has really helped. If I “[Cross country is] a great sport to try didn’t have them to run with, I think I would because anyone can do it—you do not have be much less motivated during this time. It to be at the top or anything,” Wells said. definitely helps me get out the door in the “You can do it to make friends.” mornings or after [virtual] school to go do

Wells cautions new runners who are my workouts.” interested in getting more involved in the Wells plans to continue running and sport not to run too much. hopes to improve her state ranking every

“It is easy to get injured when you all of a year. She is not afraid to set challenging goals sudden start running too many miles,” Wells for herself and the team. Wells came into said. “Instead, start with short runs and then last year’s cross country season with a goal to build up from there. It is also important to qualify for state championships, something warm up before and cool down and stretch her team had never accomplished. after.” “Having the courage to state that goal was

Wells has developed her technique motivating for a great group of hardworking through years of running and the help of her girls,” Christina Wells said. “They made [the parents and coaches. Running has not always state championship] as a team for the very been easy for her. Wells has faced injuries first time in McLean history.”