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11/28/2017 11:00 PMKate Daley qualified for states the first time she ran the 3,200 as a sophomore at Morgan. By doing so, she was setting the tone for a steady pace that would lead Kate down a prosperous path as a Huskies’ runner.
Kate didn’t starting running competitively until she joined Morgan’s indoor track team as a sophomore and wasted little time making the Class SS State Championship in the 3,200. Kate then signed up for cross country in a junior year that saw her win the 3,200 at the Shoreline Conference and Class M State championships with the Huskies’ outdoor track squad, while also running on a 4x800 relay that set a school record at the latter meet.
In her recent senior cross country season, Kate capped her high school career on the trails by placing third at the conference meet and second at states en route to earning All-Shoreline and All-State accolades.
“For me, success has a lot to do with self-motivation. I do a lot of running on my own,” Kate says. “All of my coaches have helped me grow as a runner. They have taken the drive I have and given me tips on how to improve my running. Running is really empowering, especially when you meet or exceed your goals. You don’t realize what you are capable of until you do it.”
While Kate is a distance runner for both cross country and track, she says that each avenue features different strategies and ways to pace oneself. These differences are on full display during the heat of a competition, especially when Kate has to battle specific elements of the terrain.
“Cross country is more of a challenge, because it depends on the course and how hilly it is,” says Kate. “For the 3,200, the pacing is easier, and I try to run it as easy as possible. I like to start fast, then keep an even pace in the middle, and then have a kick towards the end.”
Running among so many talented athletes in the Shoreline Conference has paid major dividends for Kate on the postseason stage. She’s also formed several friendships by getting to know her fellow competitors.
“I have found a lot of the runners in the Shoreline to be super nice, and some of my biggest rivals are good friends,” she says. “Distance running in the Shoreline is competitive, but we push each other in positive ways to get better.”
Morgan cross country Head Coach Mike Underwood says that Kate is a great motivator whose effort helps bring the best out of her fellow Huskies.
“Kate has only been running for the past couple of years, and her challenging herself, as well as everyone else to get better by perseverance, hard work, and never settling for anything less than their best, has paid off,” says Underwood, who’s also the head coach of the girls’ indoor track squad. “Everyone has worked harder, and times have steadily improved. Just seeing her work and her do the extra stuff has motivated everyone. Her leadership qualities are outstanding, along with her ability to organize and get things done.”
Even though Kate has concluded her cross country career at Morgan, she still has track on her plate for the winter and spring seasons. It was a defining moment for Kate when she won the 3,200 at the outdoor state meet last spring, and she wants to make all of her supporters proud by being first across the finish line once again this year.
“The most memorable moment for me was winning a state title for the 3,200 in outdoor track. It was something I always wanted,” says Kate, who thanks her coaches and family. “I’ve been working hard, and having support around me has helped make my goals a reality.”