USATF - Kelsie Dare
December 7, 2022 at 8:54 p.m.
Indiana students who enjoy running, look forward to July and October each year when track and field and cross country seasons begin.
But what do runners do in the offseason? Answer - They keep running, whenever possible.
Kelsie Dare, a 12-year-old sixth grade student at Union County Middle School, is a good example. She began running in the fifth grade. She and her father, Jacob Dare, ran on the roads adjacent to their country home, entered several area 5K races and made friends with 13-year-old Rylee Ruf and family who shared their knowledge of the Fayette County Running Club and trainer Kelly House.
Kelsie joined the club and became very active. She entered USATF events almost weekly with her time improving each time. She ran USATF events in Columbus, Carmel (14:25), Shelbyville (14:15) and eventually reached the regionals in Oswego, Illinois, with snow falling all around and her time down to 13:45. The top 30 runners were recognized at regionals with the top 15 qualifying for the National Olympic Cross Country Championships at Bryan College Station in Texas this coming Saturday, Dec. 10.
“She placed 15th,” her dad said. “She was on the edge and got in.” Jacob said they anticipate as many as 300 entering each race at the nationals.
Jacob will drive the family car the 1,400 mile trip to Texas on Thursday-Friday that allows time to rest and prepare for the races on Saturday.
The races are divided into age groups for both boys and girls.
The 7-8-year-olds run a 2K, 9-10 11-12 run 3K, 13-14 run 4K and 15-18 run 5K. The races are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and finish a little after 3 p.m. Kelsie and the girls 11-12-year-olds are scheduled to begin at 11:40 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
Good luck Kelsie, have a safe trip!
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Indiana students who enjoy running, look forward to July and October each year when track and field and cross country seasons begin.
But what do runners do in the offseason? Answer - They keep running, whenever possible.
Kelsie Dare, a 12-year-old sixth grade student at Union County Middle School, is a good example. She began running in the fifth grade. She and her father, Jacob Dare, ran on the roads adjacent to their country home, entered several area 5K races and made friends with 13-year-old Rylee Ruf and family who shared their knowledge of the Fayette County Running Club and trainer Kelly House.
Kelsie joined the club and became very active. She entered USATF events almost weekly with her time improving each time. She ran USATF events in Columbus, Carmel (14:25), Shelbyville (14:15) and eventually reached the regionals in Oswego, Illinois, with snow falling all around and her time down to 13:45. The top 30 runners were recognized at regionals with the top 15 qualifying for the National Olympic Cross Country Championships at Bryan College Station in Texas this coming Saturday, Dec. 10.
“She placed 15th,” her dad said. “She was on the edge and got in.” Jacob said they anticipate as many as 300 entering each race at the nationals.
Jacob will drive the family car the 1,400 mile trip to Texas on Thursday-Friday that allows time to rest and prepare for the races on Saturday.
The races are divided into age groups for both boys and girls.
The 7-8-year-olds run a 2K, 9-10 11-12 run 3K, 13-14 run 4K and 15-18 run 5K. The races are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and finish a little after 3 p.m. Kelsie and the girls 11-12-year-olds are scheduled to begin at 11:40 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.
Good luck Kelsie, have a safe trip!