NM XC Top 30 Senior Girls: Hannah Gunther

Taos' Hannah Gunther (center) has been an anchor for the Tigers since 2010. Photo by Cody Olivas.

With the District Meets only a few days away, we now are counting down the days until the state reconvenes in Rio Rancho for the Big Dance. Until then, we will pass the time getting to know this season's Senior Class.

As noted before, questionnaires were handed out at the Jamboree, or emailed to those who were not in attendance, and this is what we get. The Top 30 Seniors were determined from the 5K Rankings before the Jamboree, then adjusted after the Jamboree. If a kid was Top 30 before the race, they received a questionnare, if they raced themselves into the 30, then they were emailed a questionnarie after. With that, we continue our series with Taos' keystone, Hannah Gunther.

NM Milesplit Top 30 Senior Profile - #8 Hannah Gunther

What are your Goals for the 2014 XC Season? How are the progressing toward them?

Our school mascot is a tiger, and this year at our home meet the whole team painted their faces with kitty whiskers. At the meet, the girls team made a bet with our coach that if we got our 1-5 split down to under one minute, he would paint his face with adorable kitty whiskers for districts. So, one of our biggest goals was getting our pack time down. I am proud to say we accomplished this last weekend, so it looks like our coach will be rockin' the kitty whiskers this weekend! 

Other than that, my goal is for my team to have a successful season. We all have been working very hard this season to ensure that happens!

What does a typical week of training look like for you? Do you Cross Train?

On Mondays we have a long run, Tuesdays and Thursdays are interval workouts, and Wednesdays and Fridays are usually recovery runs. As for cross training, I try to do core workouts on my own and in the winter I swim to get in shape for track season.

Describe your favorite workout and tell why it’s your favorite.

My favorite workout is a rest day! Just kidding. I really like long runs because my teammates and I always run together, which makes them lots of fun.

How long have you been running and how did you get started?

I joined Cross Country in 8th grade because I had just moved to a new school and I wanted to make friends. I never really expected Cross Country to become such a big part of my life. 

What is your favorite and toughest race so far?

My favorite race was Los Alamos, as it was my team's strongest performance thus far this season. My toughest race this year was at Santa Fe Indian School.

Describe your favorite XC memory.

There have been so many great Cross Country memories, it's impossible to pick one!

Out of all your accomplishments, which one(s) stand out?

I would have to say winning back-to-back team state championships in track and cross last year. When I joined the Cross Country team in 8th grade we were one of the slowest teams in the state, so it was pretty incredible to come back and win a state title just a few years later.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subjects are Chemistry and Art.

When you’re not running, what do you like to do?

When I'm not running, I like to hang out with friends, draw, go to concerts, and watch Netflix.

How have your Coaches influenced you?

I am beyond grateful for that all my coaches have done for me. They're my best friends, but when it comes time for practice, they work me to the best of my ability. They have helped me come so much farther in running than I ever could have imagined. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I am planning on attending college on the east coast. I hope to continue my Cross Country career on the collegiate level. I am undecided as to my major and career path.

Fast 6

  1. Your favorite pre-race meal: Oatmeal
  2. What shoes do you train/race in: I race and train in Brooks
  3. Favorite athlete (running or non-running): My teammate Mateo Vigil because he is so passionate about running, and Big Papi 
  4. Favorite song: Any song by Beyonce
  5. Favorite book: Once a Runner
  6. Favorite quote: "That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run... I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean... I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours... I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now."-Forrest Gump