While some parents seem confused how to control nonstop movement with that afternoon sugar rush, one found track channeled this energy and initiated a competitive drive.

“My expectations for Whitney (Chessum, ’08) are to go to Valley,” coach Ericlee Gilmore said. “Also to set the record in the mile and break her own record in the two mile.”

She participated in track and cross-country at Malloch Elementary since fourth grade. After three years of competing at the high school level she hopes to surpass personal and campus records.

“The thing I look forward to most this year is beating Doug (Daniel, ’10),” Chessum said. “I have never beat Doug and this is the year I will.”

Chessum’s passion for running seems to affect other areas in her life. She completed her second year of Academic Decathlon.

The team won first in Division II and she also earned an individual medal in Language in . She contributes her score to her presentation on track, for the speech portion of the Civil War theme competition.

“Track and AcaDec have many similarities and differences,” Chessum said. “They are both team efforts, even though they are individual events it still depends on how you do as a team. In both you are constantly practicing. While track works the body, AcaDec works the mind. ”

Along with competitive sports comes success and failure, this is no exception in track.

“My favorite moments in track are practicing with my teammates and getting to know them better,” Chessum said. “The worst memory was when I was injured and was only able to run 100 meters before I fell.”

Earlier this year Chessum participated on the cross country team. During the State Championships at Woodward Park, she set a school record of 21:20 on the 3.1 mile course and placed 64th out of 169 competitors.

“Whitney is the best girl distance runner on our team,” Daniel said. ” She is a better runner against girls than I am against guys.”

In addition to a drive to succeed, Chessum also appreciates the relationships she builds through sports.

“I enjoy running because it gets rid of stress,” Chessum said. ” It also makes me stronger and lets me get to know people from other schools. My mother forced me to go into a sports because she wanted school involvement. She always watches me. It makes me happy, when they take time out of their busy schedules to come watch me.”

Although Gilmore looks forward to watching Chessum progress, he also maintains confidence in the men on the team. Two years ago Wesley Wells,’06, won FC’s first boys’ medal in Valley Championship history in high jump.

“I am looking forward to the boys’ team,” Gilmore said.” It is a large team and the talent is spread out between the events. It will be good to see how we do in league.”

Gilmore believes the team’s strength is in perseverance, which Chessum displays at every practice.

“I was surprised in how high I placed,” Chessum said. “I encourage people to join. Many people think you join to get in better shape, which it does help with. You stay healthy and live longer, but it’s really fun too.”

The track and field team will next run in the annual jog-a-thon, March 12.

For more information on Whitney, visit Track and field sport shorts, 2008, Cross country sport shorts, 2007 or the video section on the home page.