Setting the pace: Owls senior finds her stride in cross-country

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Since several members of her family members have ran cross-country runners at Seymour High School, it was only natural for Karley Sunbury to compete in that sport.

A total of 11 members of the Sunbury clan have ran cross-country in Seymour including Kelsey’s older sister (Delaney) and father (Steve).

Her uncle, Spencer, is head coach of the girls and cousin Makenna, was a member of the team this fall.

“I like (the family experience) a lot,” Karley said. “It makes it a lot more comfortable.”

One of the biggest challenges for Sunbury, who started running in middle school, was finding the right stride.

“I definitely had to learn how to pace myself,” Sunbury said. “I tried to start out fast to get out there. The second mile was probably the hardest because you’ve got to push yourself and know that you’ll have enough to finish, and the third mile you know that you’re getting near the finish.”

Sunbury said her best time was 23:59.

One of her favorite events was the Seymour Invitational at Freeman Field.

“I liked it, except that the day we ran it had been raining earlier that week and it was muddy,” Sunbury said. “It was still fun since I got to run on our course. It’s a good feeling after you finish a race.

“I liked all the support we got from the boys’ team, too, and all the parents and they brought us food and drinks. The support we got was probably the best part. It was fun.”

The girls qualified for the state meet the past three years, and Sunbury attributes that success to start running at an early age.

“I know they have running clubs for younger girls (and boys),” she said. “It’s just going to build up even more.”

She said she enjoyed having the other senior girls as teammates these past four years.

Having a strong mental outlook made a difference in the races over Sunbury’s career.

“The mental part is probably one of the biggest parts,” Sunbury said of running. “You had to prepare yourself and say to yourself that you could do it and make it through the hardest part of the course.”

The senior said she has enjoyed her time at Seymour High School.

They have a lot of things for the students to get involved in. I like the classes and the teachers.

“I’ll remember all the friends I’ve made,” Sunbury said. “I’ve had a lot of good memories.”

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Name: Karley Sunbury

School: Seymour High School

Parents: Steve and Leisa Sunbury

Siblings: Delaney, Keegan

Sports: cross-country 4 years, track 2 years

Organizations: National Honor Society, Yearbook, St. Ambrose Youth Group

Plans after high school: attend Ball State, study special education

Favorite food: pasta

Favorite TV show: One Tree Hill

Favorite musicians: Twenty One Pilots

Favorite movie: If I Stay

Favorite team: Purdue Boilermakers

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