Cookeville High School sophomore Camryn Maynor earned an individual medal at the state cross country meet after overcoming a season of personal trials and performance challenges.
Reporter said Maynor led the Lady Cavaliers by recording a time of 20:40 for the second consecutive race. Reporter said the performance placed Maynor 39th out of 253 competitors, marking a 14-place improvement over her freshman season.
“It’s helped me develop a lot of strength that I haven’t really discovered yet last year,” Maynor said. “Now that I’ve discovered all of those, I know how I can work through like my trials, which I’ve gone through a lot of trials this season. I think that helped me a lot.”
Maynor said the current season did not meet her initial expectations because her times were lower than she anticipated. Maynor said she felt held back during the year, which she described as the primary trial she had to navigate.
“I feel like I’ve been held back a little bit this year,” Maynor said. “This season wasn’t what I expected. So my times were a little low this year.”
Maynor said she relies on prayer and conversation with God to maintain her focus when a race becomes difficult. Maynor said she intentionally looks at her surroundings to stay present in the moment rather than fixating on her running time.
“A lot of times, I pray a lot to God and I just talk to him through it,” Maynor said. “Instead of being like so focused on my time, I just kind of look around and what’s around me to just bring me back to in the moment.”
Maynor said she felt less pressure during her freshman year when she was new to the team and still developing her skills. Maynor said the increased speed of other runners has brought more pressure to the competition this year, but she attempts to focus only on her own performance.
“It definitely boosts my confidence a lot,” Maynor said. “So I don’t have to compare myself to others and knowing that what I’m capable of and know that I can work through a lot by myself and I don’t really have to have other runners out there pushing me.”
Maynor said her primary statistical goal for her high school career is to finish a race in under 18 minutes.
“Time-wise, mainly under 18,” Maynor said. “But if that doesn’t happen, it’s okay because I know that’s not what it’s all about. I love the sport, so getting out here and being competing is a great opportunity.”