XC Interview – Leah Seivert, Sibley-Ocheyedan HS
This interview features Leah Seivert, senior, Sibley-Ocheyedan High School, Sibley, IA. In 2012, Leah was 2nd in the 2012 Iowa State 1A Cross Country State Championships, and has a personal best 4k XC time 13:45.
Athlete Name? Leah Seivert
Year of Graduation? 2014
School? Sibley- Ocheyedan, Sibley, IA
How long have you been running, and how did you get started? I started running when I was going into sixth grade. My mom and I saw an advertisement in the paper for a 5k road race coming up in a month in Sibley. My mom thought it would be cool to try, so she went online to find a couch-to-5k plan for us to do together. After that race, I kept running although my mom stopped. My parents did, however, ride bikes with me on most of my runs.
Who’s been the greatest inspiration to you in your running career? I would say that my dad inspires me to work hard and try my best. I love to see him at my races get excited about how I did. He never has missed a cross country meet yet!
Cross country coach(es)? Keith Swenson
Key(s) to your training program? We do a lot of long runs to build endurance, and we do a hill workout each week.
Goals for the upcoming season? My goals is to see my times improve at the meets. I would like to break 14 minutes at state!
Running goals beyond HS? My goal is to compete at a college close to home and compete at the National meet.
Favorite cross country meet? My favorite cross country meet would be our home one because it is cool to see all the people from our town cheering us on. I also like the state meet because it is fun competing with the best.
Favorite competitors in cross country? I like to compete against Rebekah Topham because she has a positive attitude and is fun to try to keep up with!
Favorite cross country memory? My favorite cross country memory would be the sleepover our team had when I was a freshman. We played a prank on our coach by covering his lawn with over 100 pumpkins. He ended up twisting his ankle, and we felt so guilty! We also stayed up the whole night preparing for our homecoming skit for the pep rally the next day.
Favorite academic subject? Math
Favorite activity besides running? I like to scrapbook and spend time with my family.
Favorite quote? “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” Philippians 4:13