Athlete Interview
Alexis Conaway, junior, MOC-Floyd Valley HS, Orange City
PR’s: HJ – 5’10”, 400m – 58.30
1. When & how did you get started in track & field?
The first time I was exposed to track was when I did the Hershey's track meet in sixth grade. Up until that
point, I had never really given it a thought. However, after that first time, I loved the competitive aspect of it
and wenton to the state competition. I then started my actual track and field career at my school in
seventh grade.
2. Person/people most influential to your success in track & field?
Mr. Loren De Jong played a huge role in my track and field career because he was the person who got me to
try high jump for the first time in middle school. Then in high school, all of my coaches helped me; but the
person I worked with most was Lori Wolfe, who worked with me on high jump and mid-distance running.
She really brought me to the next level, as she both encouraged me and pushed me to get better every day.
3. Your favorite track & field event(s)?
My favorite field event is high jump, especially against other good jumpers. My favorite running event is the
open 400, as it's a combination of speed and endurance at just the right distance. This makes for an exciting
race for both the runners and the crowd. I also love running the 4x400m relay under the lights with my
teammates by my side.
4. Your track & field event coach(es)?
High jump - Lori Wolf
Mid-Distance - Lori Wolf
5. Keys to your successful track & field training program?
I think one reason our team has been so successful is because of the competitiveness of all the athletes.
This is obvious when we step on the track at a meet, but what brings us to the next level is how we compete
against each other in practice as well. We're always pushing each other to jump higher, run faster, and throw
further; and that makes us so much better.
6. Your favorite track & field meet(s)?
It's easy to choose the State meet and Drake Relays as my favorites. The atmosphere of the Drake arena
is just amazing. It's almost indescribable, that feeling you get when you step foot on that blue track with
hundreds if not thousands of people there cheering you on.
7. Track & field athlete(s) you most enjoy competing against?
A person who pushes me to get better every day is my teammate, Katie Landhuis. She is one of the most
competitive persons I know in everything she does, and I wouldn't be near the runner I am without her there
challenging me in practice. We may never run against each other in a meet, but those hard practices are
what get us to raise our standards and expectations.
8. Most memorable experience in track & field so far?
A meet I will never forget was the Drake Relays last year. It started out with winning the high jump, which
was something I couldn't even imagine. It was so amazing to hear the crowd cheer after I'd make it over a
height. This is what makes track so different from other sports. It's almost like you're all on the same team,
in that the crowd just appreciates amazing athletes trying their hardest and pushing their bodies as far as
possible. But anyways, the next day I participated in the 4x100m relay. I loved having teammates to share
the experience with and how we just ran for fun with no pressure on ourselves. We made so many memories,
and the excitement continued when we ran almost straight from the race to our car so we could make it to
prom that night. That was one weekend I will remember forever.
9. Greatest accomplishment(s) in track & field so far?
My best performance came at the Drake Relays last year when I won the high jump at a height of 5'10". This
was the first time I had participated in them, so I had no idea what to expect. It was so much fun competing
against the best jumpers in the state, and I believe that combined with the crowd's excitement to push me to
keep going higher.
10. Goals for the 2013 track & field season?
Individually, in high jump my goal is to win and beat my old record at state. As for running events, I really
have no idea what I will be doing yet, but my goal no matter what is to just keep getting better. However,
our team last year did really well, too. We placed fourth, but I can say that we all want to be in the top three
this year in 3A. There are some really great teams out there, but I believe we can do it if we put the work in.
11. If a senior, college/university you will attend, or schools you are considering?
(a junior)
12. Long-term goals in track & field?
My long-term goals are pretty much the same as my previous goals. I just want to keep getting better in
all of my events, whatever they may be. I may even try some new ones this year. For most girls, they hit
their peak in sophomore year, but I want to break that pattern and continue to get faster and stronger.
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See Alexis’s IOWATFXC.COM webpage at https://ia.milesplit.com/athletes/1957696-alexis-conaway .