Hannah Mitchell, Pearl River Central
I got a good look at Hanna Mitchell during the Forster Commagere Classic. I was driving the lead vehicle, and she was in the lead... the whole way. Do you want to talk about a well-rounded athlete? Let's look at her PRs in track and CC. She runs the 400M in 1:07, is a 5:45 miler, and a 12:33 two miler on the track. She won the 2-mile Forster Commagere Classic this year in 13:56 - it was muddy. Her PR in the 5K is 21:32, but I think she's got more in the tank. Her Coach, Rex Hindman, says, "She's an all-around excellent student and athlete. Truly a pleasure to teach and coach!" Need we say more?
DP: What is your name, what grade are you in, and what school do you attend?
HM: My name is Hannah Mitchell. I am in 12th grade. I go to Pearl River Central High School.
DP: What is your GPA and ACT score?
HM: I have a 4.0 GPA and made a 24 on the ACT.
DP: Wow, good work. What is your favorite color?
HM: My favorite color is light teal.
DP: Interesting. What is your current PR in the 5K?
HM: My current PR is 21.32.
DP: What next goal, time, or mark will you try to hit?
HM: I would love to run in the 19s. Even a 19:59 would be exciting.
DP: What is your favorite workout your Coach has you do?
HM: I love running hills.
DP: I dig it. What is your least favorite workout?
HM: I wouldn't say I like doing timed runs rather than distance runs. It feels like they take forever.
DP: What are your plans after high school?
HM: I plan to attend a college and possibly run there. At college, I will pursue a degree in special education.
DP: What motivates you to train?
HM: I love to better myself and set goals to reach. I also really love to win things.
DP: Do you have any superstitions on a meet day or perhaps an odd pre-meet routine?
HM: I wear a certain pair of earrings to every meet.
DP: OK. Now, Gatorade or Powerade?
HM: Gatorade
DP: Why?
HM: It just tastes better, and the flavors are better.
DP: Jersey (Singlet), tucked or untucked?
HM: Untucked
DP: Do you have a favorite meal for the night before a meet?
HM: Anything that seems healthy and refreshing. And as my coach would say, "carb-filled."
DP: Do you take ice baths? If yes, what do you think about an ice bath?
HM: I don't usually take ice baths, only if I'm hurt.
DP: Name a lesson that track & field or cross country has taught you.
HM: You are capable of more than you can even imagine once you break from those negative thoughts/ restrictions in your mind.
DP: I like that. Do you have a rival runner?
HM: I don't think so, but I have to say that my most prominent rival is probably myself. Getting over yourself and convincing your mind to do more than you can imagine is hard.
DP: That's a great way to look at it. Who is your team's biggest rival?
HM: Probably Picayune because we are rivals in everything.
DP: What do you do to recover after a meet?
HM: Stretching, sleep, and refueling your body are essential.
DP: Saints or Bucs?
HM: Bucs
DP: What is your favorite thing about your coach?
HM: I have two coaches. Mr. Hindman is just great. He is so encouraging and understanding and cares so much about his runners. Coach Jaden is the same, but she is probably the most energetic person you will ever meet. I love my coaches and wouldn't be successful without them.
DP: Who is your biggest fan?
HM: My biggest fan is probably my mom. She loves running and is such a great mentor. She sometimes tells me my competition and information about the meets before my coaches even tell me.
DP: What advice would you like to share with younger runners, maybe the JH kids on your team?
HM: I would like to tell them to block out the thoughts going through their mind and run.
DP: Have you had any injuries you've had to deal with in your career?
HM: I recently rolled my ankle and had to sit out a meet. It was so hard sitting there watching my teammates run. But it is better, and I get to race on Saturday, and I am so excited.
DP: What is your greatest accomplishment in cross country?
HM: My most significant accomplishment was probably getting all-state last year.
DP: Congrats, that's great. Now here's an odd question, what is an outrageous fear that you have? For example, I fear sharks in a swimming pool.
HM: I'm not fond of lizards at all.
DP: Ok, lizards. Well, it was good to get to speak with you. Good luck out there this season!
