Nacci Sets Records
On Oct. 8, Maddy Nacci (11) broke the WHS girls cross country 5K record at the Wayne Holmes Invitational.
The previous record, set by Claire Miller, was 19 minutes 24 seconds. Nacci beat that time with a 19 minute 16 second time. Miller’s time stood for seven years, as she set it in 2010 as a junior.
Cross Country coach McKenzie Doup praised Maddy saying she, “puts in a lot of work and has a great attitude.” She jokingly added, “unless we’re doing pushups.”
Doup said the team trains every day with one optional rest day. This training schedule includes one long run day, one long intensity workout, one short intense workout and on the rest days are normal mileage runs or aerobic exercise sessions.
Nacci says she watches her diet closely during the week, but after a race, it is not a priority. She eats the same things every night before a race and in the morning.
Some songs that go through her head while she runs are “Forever” by Drake and “One Day” by Matisyahu.
For Nacci, soccer was her first love and she had a hard time choosing between soccer and cross country this year.
“Both teams were extremely supportive through the whole thing,” she said.
Ultimately, the last year’s track season ended so well that she wanted to continue progressing with her running.
She wanted to run as much as she could with her friends Maureen McKeown (12), Isabelle Cannon (12), Tracy Morgan (12) and Kendall Begue (12) before they graduated.
Nacci said she feels honored to be a part of the team and expressed that she is very happy with how her season and the team’s season has gone so far.
She said this season has really made her realize how much she loves running.
Nacci hopes her team can make it to state. Her favorite race is the 5K, which requires both speed and endurance. She said every course is unique at every different school, which keeps it interesting for her.
Nacci said cross country alum Kevin White is her idol, as he works very hard and does so with determination.
She also mentions that her idol, friend and fellow runner, McKeown, has always supported her and tried to help keep her positive. “Maddy not only makes workouts fun, she is also a leader. She leads by being confident in herself and the team.”
For Nacci and the girls team, their next race occurs this weekend at Youngstown for Regionals.