Megan Goethals
Jr., Rochester H.S.
Rochester Hills, MI
Highlights: Michigan State XC Champion, setting an all-time, all-class record of 17:11 … Won the Regional Championship in 17:10 … Oakland County Champion, defeating defending state champion Shannon Osika in a course-record effort of 17:55 … Set a course record of 17:39 en route to winning the Spartan Invitational … Goethals (Photo courtesy of www.rissleyphoto.net) broke through last spring with a 4:59 to win the Emerging Elite Mile at the NON
Coach (Larry Adams) says: “She was dedicated before, but we kind of upped the ante this year a little bit; increased her summer miles, increased our intensity. Pretty much every day, whether it be a distance day or hard workout day, the intensity was just at a higher level throughout the entire season. She accepted every challenge. I don’t think she ever had a workout where she didn’t meet the goals that were set for her.”
Goethals says: “I was able to get a lot better training in this year. I was able to do more miles, have more intensity, and I started doing weight training. I think everything together just really helped me be able to run much better. At the beginning of the season my goal was to break 18 minutes for the whole season. Probably around the time of counties, when I won that, I thought maybe I would have a chance to get the state record, but I wasn’t really sure. Then at the regional meet I ran 17:10 there, and I thought that I could probably have a pretty good chance the next week. I’ve been really lucky I’ve been pushed during races. I think that’s helped because it makes me run that much harder and prepares me to run with girls that are way faster than me. I know how to push myself during a race.”
Summer mileage (max): 50
Weekly mileage: 50
Training shoes: Nike Bowerman series
Superstitions: Goethals wears the same hair ribbon and socks every race
Hobbies: Bicycling, reading, hanging out with friends
Favorite Book: Anything by Robin Jones Gunn