Hulne: Pacelli’s Christopherson has taken a big step forward
Published 8:01 pm Monday, November 3, 2014
One of the great things about being a sports editor is seeing when that competitive edge starts to click in an athlete.
That moment comes when an athlete realizes they aren’t just competing for fun anymore. They are out to make a mark and they are out to win.
The competitive edge arrives at different stages for different athletes. Some get it the second they start competing in sports, but others figure it out later on.
Pacelli’s Kayla Christopherson is hugged by her aunt Jane Weiers after her run at the Class A state cross country in Northfield Saturday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
I don’t think there is anything a coach or parent can do to excel when an athlete gains his or her edge, it just happens and when it does, its easy to see the change in intensity.
I’m pretty sure that moment has come for Pacelli eighth grader Kayla Christopherson. While Christopherson is small in size, she makes up for it with a lot of heart and she left everything she had on the course at the Class A state cross country meet in St. Olaf College in Northfield Saturday.
Last year, Christopherson was a surprising 62nd place finisher in her state meet debut and this year she took it to another level by taking 20th overall and earning all-state recognition.
There was also another big difference in Christopherson from last year to this year.
Last season, she still had a little bit of energy left after the race and she was pretty aware of what she had just done. She was happy to be at state and she was glad that she finished with a good time.
This season Christopherson was completely spent after the race and she needed about five minutes just to collect herself after her finish. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were wandering.
She had given it all she had.
It’s always hard to predict how very young athletes will do in sports when they get older and mature, but I think no matter what Christopherson does in life, she’ll be just fine. She has a great attitude about her and she has things in proper perspective for an athlete so young.
After she won the Section 1A race this season, Christopherson shook the hand of every competitor she could find and she’s always quick to thank her teammates, family and God every time I’ve interviewed her.
Christopherson doesn’t take anything for granted and now she’s learning that hard work and dedication can take her to new to heights. It’ll be exciting to see how far she can go in the years to come.