Salute to Seniors series feature on Colonial Forge distance runner Jenna Walker. The Colonial Forge girls have had one of the deepest distance crews in the state of Virginia over the past few years and Walker has only bolstered that claim. Walker qualified and competed in three state cross country championships with her team and had respectable individual finishes every year in the Group AAA race at Great Meadow (28th in 20010, 24th in 2011, and 32 in 2012) and had a cross country 5K best of 18:48. She earned numerous All-Region honors in cross country and track while at Colonial Forge in the Northwest Region with her track PR highlights of 5:14 in the 1600 and 11:19 in the 3200. She will be joining her original and former high school coach Michael Porter in college, who is now an assistant at LSU, where Walker will be headed to the fall and competing on both the cross country and track teams.
Interview with Colonial Forge distance runner Jenna Walker
What was your most memorable race?
My most memorable race happened at Outdoor Regionals my sophomore year. I was tripling that weekend 4x800, 1600, and 3200. And I was so hyped. We were 2nd in the 4x800 and I was so excited to run the 1600, that was my event or so I thought. I ended up 7th and was more pissed than ever that I didn't make it out. I remember crying my eyes out per usual when I didn't do as well as I wanted and my coaches being like pull it together you still have the 3200, so that's just what I did. I was out for avenges. I was still pissed when we lined up on the line and was determined than ever to make it to States and that just what I did. I was runner-up to Hannah Lowry that day and more excited than ever for how I raced. All my coaches came and hugged me afterwards.
Who would you consider your greatest competition over your four years?
Colonial Forge and Mountain View seem to have been rivals over the past four years but I think I'd have to go with my own team as my greatest competition. So many of us are so good and you never know who's going to be on the relays or teams that travel. You truly have to earn your spot and it keeps everyone on their toes and working hard.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
I would have to say my greatest accomplishment was making it to the State Meet my very first season. I qualified for Districts a couple of days before in the 1600 and then was 6th at Districts. I didn't even know what it meant, it was all so new to me. And then I remember before my race at Regionals Coach Leyh and Coach Porter told me I had a chance to make it out. I remember the older girls warming up with me so I didn't have to warm up alone and I remember them cheering for me as I raced, I came in 4th and was going to the State Meet! I had come out that outdoor season to cross train for field hockey like I had done in Middle School I never imagined I would make it to the State Meet or be one of three freshman that year to run the 1600. These past four years have brought about many accomplishments but I would have to say that one is my greatest. I didn't think twice and believed in my coaches an training and it brought me to the State Meet.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would have spoken up sooner when my foot started bothering me, if I had maybe I wouldn't have been out for so long this year.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Coming back from injury was always difficult for me. I would watch my teammates improve as I was just trying to get back and it's hard to not be able to contribute in the way I was used to.
What will you miss most?
I'll miss my coaches, Coach Leyh, Coach Hill and Coach Gause, a lot next year. They have been such awesome and inspirational coaches over the years! I'm also going to miss my teammates a ton! They're my second family. I mean after all I spend more time with them than I do at home most of the time.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Do not run through an injury! You may think its nothing or something stupid but it's better to be safe than sorry! I learned that one the hard way. And also in order to have good days you have to have bad days too, so don't worry. Everyone has them and they're a part of this crazy sport.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
I know Coach Leyh encourages us to dream big and he'll give us everything we need to accomplish our goals and that goes for Coach Hill and Coach Gause as well. My coaches have always been willing to help in any way they can and I don't think I would be where I am today without them. I am so grateful to have been coaches by them.
What are your college plans?
I plan to run cross country and track and field at Louisiana State University! Geaux Tigers!
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my parents for supporting me in everything I do and always believing in me. I also would like to thank Coach Leyh, Coach Hill, Coach Gause, my other coaches over these past four years, and all of my wonderful teammates I have had over the past four years. Without their encouragement and support I wouldn't have made it as far as I did, they're truly my second family.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Don't be afraid to dream big! You really can accomplish anything you put your mind to, mind over body. And just know that there are so many people out there who are supporting and rooting for you, so always keep your head up.
