Athlete Feature: MV’s Kaitlyn Covell

Basics

Name: Kaitlyn Covell

Events: Hurdles, Sprints, Relays, and some jumps

PRs: 100m HH-16.17sec/300m LH-48.34sec/55m HH-8.94sec/TJ-31’2″

When did you start competing in track and field?

I started competing in track in 6th grade. Between middle school and high school, this 2018 outdoor season will be my 11th season.

What is your favorite track and field event? What are your personal bests?

My favorite event by far is the hurdles and more specifically the 100m Hurdles. My PR for the 100m HH is 16.17 sec and my 300m LH PR is 48.34 sec.

Describe your favorite competition memory:

My favorite competition memory has to be last year at the 2017 Division 2 State Meet. It was the finals of the 100m HH and during the race, through all the noise, I could hear my coach, Coach Mullen, cheering me on!  When I crossed that finish line after claiming my first state title, I could see the pride on his face. I ran over to him and he gave me a big hug.  The excitement between the two of us was just so amazing. I have never felt so proud of myself as I did in that moment.

If you could do any event in track and field, which one would it be and why?

Well hurdles is a definite but besides that I have always really wanted to try javelin. I have always been a runner and sometimes a jumper, so I think it would be really cool to change it up. Plus I think I could do well if I used my speed and learned the proper form.

Describe your favorite workout:

My favorite workout has to be what we call ‘terrible twos’ and it lives up to its name. I am sure many are familiar with it, but in this workout we have a minute to run a 200m sprint.  At whatever time you cross the finish line, the remaining time of the minute is how long you get to rest. So if I ran it in 30 seconds, I would have a 30 second rest. Seems simple but it is a very difficult workout with a lot of sets and little rest time. Although my teammates and I always groan when we hear we have to do it, it is my favorite workout. I love running in a big pack and there’s nothing that brings a team closer than suffering together. Plus at the end you feel so accomplished.

How does your coach motivate you?

I love my coach! He tells the funniest jokes and stories and has so much knowledge on the sport of track and field. He motivates me by challenging me to try new things and to reach my goals. However, he also values my input and wants to know what I think will help me improve. Along with that, one of the major reasons why I think he motivates me so much is because we have a good coach/athlete bond. He can tell when I am having a bad day or when something doesn’t feel right and he always knows what to say or when to let me talk it out.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

I have always wanted to go to Spain. I love the culture and upbeat nature they have there. Spain also has beautiful artwork and beautiful scenery. I am not much of a traveler, but it has always looked like an interesting place to me.

What is your go-to pre-meet meal?

I like to keep it fairly light before a meet. My go to meal is light seasoned chicken breast, some sort of green vegetable (broccoli or spinach), and usually plain pasta. Sounds pretty simple but my stomach seems to be happiest after running when I eat that!

Do you have a favorite prerace song?

I listen to a many different songs to but one of my favorites has to be “Unstoppable” by The Score. It is very upbeat and motivating and it gets me excited to run.

What motivates you most to do well?

One thing that motivates me to do well is simply to feel like I accomplished something. I want to do well in whatever I do and it drives me to work hard. Plus, when I don’t feel like I did well, it frustrates me because I know what I am capable of. Along with that being a leader for my teammates is also a motivator. I want them to see that hard work truly can pay off and I want them to be able to go to me for advice or see me as an inspiration. When I first started running track, I had older girls who I looked up to and inspired me.  I wanted to do that for others.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

I think I would compete in the Olympics! The incredible athletes that represent Team USA are such an inspiration and I think it would be so amazing to be one of them. They work so hard and bring so much pride to their country. I definitely believe it would be an amazing feeling.

What is the best advice or quote ever given to you?

Some of the best advice I think I ever got was from my dad. After a very bad race I was very upset and disappointed in myself. I basically closed myself off. He came over to me, hugged me, and said, “This does not define you.” It was only a few words but it hit home. Everyday I think about that, whether it be in track, school, or just life in general. He taught me to realize that one mistake or one bad day does not define who you are as an athlete or as a person. What he said stuck with me and it allows me to stay strong and push forward.

If you go to college, do you plan to compete in track and field? And where?

I will attending the University of New Hampshire next year. I will be majoring in nursing and running track and field. I am very excited to be able to attend and run for a Division 1 school. Go Wildcats!

What is your favorite thing about Track and Field?

I think the unique community sounding track is amazing. Track is unlike any other sport besides cross country. I love how the track community, especially in New Hampshire, has a sense of unity. There is so much respect from coaches and athletes for each other and I think that is amazing.

What is your favorite track facility?

Out of all the tracks I have run on, I think my favorite is the track in Willow Brook Park in New Britain, CT. I ran there in the 2016 Outdoor New England Championships and I was amazed by how beautiful the track and the facilities were.