Clay County Bulldogs Cross Country Athlete Jaelee Richards entered high school looking to set new goals in volleyball. Richards now sets new personal records in cross country.
Richards grew up playing and enjoying the sport of volleyball. Richards said she had wanted to play for the Bulldogs while growing up in Celina. Richards said she had a goal for herself when deciding what sport to take part in.
“For me it was really important to just push yourself over the limit,” Richards said. “[I wanted] to be better than what you were before and then just get better over time.”
Richards was raised by parents who both ran cross country while they were in high school. Richards said despite the family history, she never expected to run when she moved to high school.
“I really didn’t myself doing it last year,” Richards said. “I just started it [freshman year] and I loved it.”
Richards said she began showing interest in running during her freshman year. Richards said she gravitated towards cross country because of the lessons it teaches.
“It shows you that you can actually do whatever you set your mind to,” Richards said. “And you can push yourself over your limit.”
Richards began her second year running for Clay County this school year. Richards set a personal record in the Siegel two mile run in August. Richards finished with a time of 16 minute and 58 seconds. She also set a personal record in the Macon Bank Invitational later that month, finishing at 28 minutes and 59 seconds in the 5000 meter run.