For The Tribune
Molly Crenshaw transferred from Seymour High School to Trinity Lutheran after her freshman year, and during her first two years of high school she concentrated on her studies.
She decided to go out for cheerleading her junior year, and when her father, Chris, became track coach last spring, she joined that squad. And this past fall, she added cross-country to her schedule.
Crenshaw has been training for the mile and two-mile track events and will run in the 3,200 relay this spring.
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She competed in the 3,200 relay last spring and said she likes running either the second or third positions.
Of her individual events, she said she prefers the mile.
“I’ve been running 10 miles a lot,” she said in preparation for the opening meet with Crothersville at Hauser on April 6.
Her three events are spaced out, and she said she feels like she will have enough recovery time between races to run strong.
Crenshaw hadn’t run cross-country since middle school and said it was a new learning experience last fall.
“I was used to middle school cross-country, and we only ran 1.8 (miles),” she said. “I had never ran in high school before last fall, but I really enjoyed it.”
She said it took her a few races to learn how to pace herself to save enough energy to have a strong finish.
The senior made steady improvement and at the end of the season qualified for the Brown County Regional.
Her father has been her track and cross-country coach.
“It had a lot of impact on me because he really encouraged me to run, and I ran in middle school, and that kind of influenced my decision with him being here. He really encouraged me to run cross-country,” she said. “I really enjoy it. It kind of pushes me a little harder knowing that he’s there all the time pushing me along.”
One of her biggest goals this season is to see the relay team start out strong and improve.
“It would be nice to set the school record for the relay,” Crenshaw said. “I want to get PRs (personal records) throughout the season in the mile and two-mile.”
She said he hopes to run the mile in six minutes early in the season and lower her time from there.
“I think practice is very important because if you don’t work hard in practice, it’s not going to pay off in the meets,” she said.
Creshaw also said cheering for the basketball team the past two seasons was a good experience.
“I liked being in front of the cheer block and encouraging them to get into the games and supporting their school,” she said. “I had a good time.”
To Crenshaw, having a strong outlook on sports is important.
“I think it’s important to stay positive,” she said. “If you’re anxious, it affects the whole meet and how you do.”
Crenshaw has found a new home at Trinity and enjoyed her time as a Cougar.
“I enjoy all the people here and the teachers and the one-on-one attention they give you,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot. I just decided that Trinity would be the better choice for me. I like the smaller school.”
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Name: Molly Crenshaw
Parents: Chris and Leighana Crenshaw
Siblings: Ethan and Hallie
Sports: Track and field 2 years, cross-country 1 year, cheerleading 2 years
Athletic highlights: Cross-country, regional qualifier; track and field, Cougar Award
Organizations: National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, band
Plans: Attend Ball State University
Favorite cross-country course: Hardy Lake
Favorite food: Chocolate
Favorite TV show: “The Middle”
Favorite singer/musician: For King and Country
Favorite athlete: Gabby Douglas
Favorite team: University of Kentucky
Favorite quote: “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for extraordinary destiny.” — C.S. Lewis
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