After playing basketball for Columbus East as a freshman, Olivia Linnemann was looking for another sport to add as a sophomore last year.
So Linnemann decided to run cross-country for the Olympians. She ended up being the No. 1 runner for a team that reached the semistate.
“It was kind of on a whim,” Linnemann said. “I had thought about playing soccer, but my mom ran cross-country in high school for Ben Davis, so I decided to try it and see if I enjoyed it.”
She certainly did, so much that she looked forward to coming back and running this year. Once again, she’s the No. 1 runner as a junior for a team that has reached the semistate and has hopes of challenging for a berth in the state finals.
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“I think everyone on my team has done a really great job this season,” Linnemann said. “Everyone has worked really hard at all the practices, and I think that’s really showed in the races. We have a great team, and they really motivate everyone to do better and go faster. It’s been a really fun season, and I’m happy with how everything has gone.”
Linnemann has gotten better as the season has gone along. She finished sixth in the Brown County sectional in 20 minutes, 56.60 seconds for 5,000 meters (3.1 miles).
Saturday, she ran a minute faster in the Brown County Regional on the same Eagle Park course. She finished eighth in a personal-best 19:56.95.
“She’s just been improving all year long, and she’s been really great,” East coach Jesse Shoaf said. “Her work ethic is the best there is. She’s always worked hard and trained hard, so it’s showing each week as she gets faster and faster. Last year was her first season doing it, and this year, she’s kind of found her way. She’s understanding how to race better, so she’s really improved that way.”
The Olympians will be back at Eagle Park on Saturday for the Brown County Semistate. The top six teams and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the Oct. 27 state finals.
If East doesn’t qualify as a team, Linnemann may have a shot as an individual if she can drop a little more time from last week.
“I decided that you have to run with a goal in mind, and it has to be a time you want, and you also decide what you run for,” Linnemann said. “Personally, I run for the glory of God, and that’s the reason I want to run fast, and I really love the team aspect. All the girls are really nice, and all the girls uplift each other, and they’ve been really kind and that’s been a fun surprise this year and last year.”
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What: Brown County Semistatee
When: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. (girls), 12:15 p.m. (boys)
Where: Eagle Park, Nashville
Who: 20 girls teams, including Columbus North, Columbus East and Jennings County, plus Brown County individual Emelia Koester; 20 boys teams, including North and Jennings, plus individuals Garrett McGaha (East), Jackson McPheeters and Marino Dolph (Brown County) and AJ Goecker (Trinity Lutheran)
Admission: $5
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