Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
KINNIKINNICK — For four years now, Abbey Mohan has made her name a known commodity around the region’s track and field circles.
It seems like the Zane Trace senior has put her best foot forward in nearly every event possible while finding success in everything she’s tried.
She’s done nothing to hurt her reputation this spring after a successful regular season and a meet medalist showing at last week’s SVC Meet. During the two-day event, Mohan won the 1600-meter run (5:48.52), the 400-meter dash (1:00.56), and finished second in the 100 (13.51) and 200 dashes (28.09).
CREDIT: Chad Siders
We caught up with Abbey before this week’s Division II district track finals to discuss her senior year, what she’s looking forward to and her future as a Morehead State Eagle.
Question: You finish your senior season as the SVC’s meet medalist. How proud are you of that accomplishment and what’s it mean to you?
Mohan: Getting meet medalist was my ultimate goal at the SVC meet this year. If you can believe it, in my four years of running, I’ve never even come close to getting it because relays haven’t allowed me to gain that many points. This year, I looked into doing the 100 & 200 for training purposes, rather than just picking up easy wins in the 800 and two-mile. I feel like stepping out of my comfort zone and getting into those sprint races has really prepared me for my closing 200 of my 800. I hope to carry the lessons I’ve learned in the shorter races into the postseason and really make some noise these next two weeks.
Q: Looking towards Saturday’s district finals, what are your personal goals and expectations heading into that meet?
AM: My goals heading into the finals are three more district titles. The 400 is going to be the race to watch because I will finally have girls right there with me, pushing me to my full potential. In the 800, I just need to run like I know I can and really focus 300 out. It’s a huge goal of mine to be the repeat champ in that race. Our 4×4 is seeded fourth going into the finals but we have some ideas with the order and lineup that I think are going to help us finish better. Every race from here on out is run to win and I have no other expectation than that for myself and my teammates.
Q: Each week that comes and goes means one step closer to graduation and the end of a great career. Has it hit you that your high school career is almost over?
AM: On Saturday, I will be runner by day, ZT graduate by night. I am so excited to get on to the next chapter in life. I have met so many amazing people in the past four years through school and running. I will miss the camaraderie our SVC athletes share. It hasn’t hit me yet, but when it does, I’m sure it’ll be a whirlwind of emotions. Not in a bad way though … it’s a good problem to have when you’ve got something so good it makes it hard to say goodbye. Running will always be there. That’s one thing that will never change about me. I’m absolutely ecstatic to continue on at the collegiate level. I’ve got three more weeks to leave my legacy. There’s still a lot to do before I hand in my jersey as a Pioneer.
Q: What’s the legacy you’re hoping to leave at ZT?
AM: I hope to leave the girls with impressionable memories of track and cross country. I’ve tried my best to lead them by example by showing them a race strategy executed, how to chase someone when you’re down in a 400, patience in getting the time drop they want, and how to persevere through the bad days. Just the little things that lead to the big things. I try to make them smile when things are serious and mostly remind them they are more than runners … their running does not define them. I tried to take as many under my wing as possible so they can grow the program for years to come. The future looks bright for ZT track and field and with a determined junior high group coming up, I get the feeling you’ll have plenty to write about next spring.
CREDIT: Jenny Campbell
Q: It seems like you’ve participated in about every event possible. What’s your favorite event and why?
AM: The only events I haven’t tried in high school have been the throwing ones and we can leave that to my sister (Ohio University’s Autumn Mohan). I have done every jump, vertical and horizontal, and have ran every event from the 100 to two-mile. I’m proud of the versatility I offer, but if I had to pick a favorite event, it would be the 800. I have had more ups and downs with that race than any other in my career. I know I can run it faster than 2:17 and I’m on a mission to prove that to myself. My indoor season gave me so much confidence in it and I’m ready for redemption after having heartbreak last year.
Q: Looking towards Morehead State, how excited are you for that chapter? How do you keep your focus on the present instead of the future?
AM: With grad party planning, graduation, and finals in full swing, it’s hard to keep 100 percent focus on my running. There is a lot going on in my life at the moment. And sometimes I’ll catch myself thinking about how different things are going to be in about three months. I’m ready for Morehead and that new adventure. It’s good to think about the future, it’s bad to overlook what you have in front of you. Right now I just have to keep my eyes fixed on Jesse O and the steps I have to take to get there. After that, I can move forward with the next step in my running journey.