Allison Villers - Photo by Lance McDaniel
This is the 11th in a series of previews on West Virginia High School boys’ and girls’ cross country for the 2013 season.
Athlete: Allison Villers
Year: Senior
School: Philip Barbour High School (Class of 2014)
Location: Philippi, WV
Class: AA
Pre-Season Rank: West Virginia #17 / Class AA/A #2
Coach: Missy Kaiser
Personal Best:
800 Meter Run - 2:41.80
1,600 Meter Run - 5:35.90
3,200 Meter Run - 12:04.41
5,000 Meter Run - 19:43.65
Progression by Season:
800 Meter Run
2013 Outdoor - 2:41.80
2012 Outdoor - 2:42.60
1,600 Meter Run
2012 Outdoor - 5:35.90
2011 Outdoor - 7:04.92
3,200 Meter Run
2013 Outdoor - 12:10.06
2012 Outdoor - 12:04.41
2011 Outdoor - 15:33.28
5,000 Meter Run
2012 CC - 19:43.65
2011 CC - 25:59.60
2010 CC - 22:02.00
Athletic Honors:
2012 WV Cross Country All-State First Team – 5000M (19:43) 5th place
Allison Villers, a senior at Philip Barbour High School, is the pre-season WV#17 and the Class AA/A girls #2 ranked runner. Her junior cross country season was a memorable one.
Cross Country: In October, Allison ran a PR of 19:43.65 at the West Virginia State XC Championships to finish fifth.
Outdoor Track: In April, Allison ran a PR of 2:41.80 in the 800 at the Grafton Track Meet #2 to place third. In May, Allison ran a new season best time of 12:10.06 in the 3,200 at the WV Region II AA for fourth. Then, Allison ran a 12:18.23 in the 3,200 at the West Virginia State Track & Field Championships for eighth.
Allison Villers Career Graph for 1,600 Meters
Allison Villers Career Graph for 3,200 Meters
Allison Villers Career Graph for 5,000 Meters
About:
When did you start running track or cross country?
I started running track and cross country in sixth grade.
What sports did you participate in when you were younger?
I participated in gymnastics, cheerleading and soccer.
Do you have one race or personal record time you are most proud of?
At the 2012 cross county state meet, I ran a Personal Record of 19:43.65. I remember at the beginning of the season my coach asked me what my goals were and I said break 21 minutes, not actually thinking I could do that. Also my coach told me you're going to get top 10. In all honesty I thought that was a joke. I came in dead last at a junior varsity race the previous year. I was proud of myself because I finally realized all my hard work paid off. I got to stand on the podium with my team for the third time. I also got to stand on the podium for getting fifth place at states.
What are your goals for you and your team this XC season?
Goals for the season: Run to the best of my abilities, overcome injuries, push my teammates to be the best that they can be, because I don't want to look back thinking "I could have pushed more." A goal for my teammates and myself is to stay healthy. Another goal I have and that I feel like every runner has is to win states individually, which would be super awesome! Most importantly, a goal that is for me and my team this cross country season is to win our four-peat, to make school, and state history. A big goal for my team is to believe in each other because that's what teammates do. We can't win a state championship without each other.
After the regular XC season is over, will you take part in any of the national races like Foot Locker Championships or the Nike XC race?
I am not for sure yet.
Do you plan on running in college?
Yes!!!
Who is the most influential person in your running career?
The most influential person in my running career is Sarah McCauley. I remember meeting Sarah at a 5K race before freshman year. Little did I know she would help my team win our first state championship title. Sarah believes in me more than I believe in myself. She does for my whole team. When I wasn't performing well, she still cheered me on. She did this even when people told me I wasn't good at running and never would be. She has given me A LOT of advice. Even though Sarah is not in high school anymore, she is still like a member of our team. She pushes me to be the best that I can. That is why she is the most influential person in my running career. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be the runner I am today.
Villers’ 2013 Cross Country Schedule:
Aug 24 – Knight Night XC Relays at Kingwood, WV
Aug 31st - Geico Classic Invitational at Ona, WV
Sept 7th - Ben Queen Photography - Indian Run Invitational at Bridgeport, WV
Sep 14th - EztoUse Colt Stampede at Philippi, WV
Sep 17th - Battle Run Invitational at Summersville, WV
Sept 28th - Maymont XC Festival at Richmond, VA
Oct 1st - Big 10 Preview at Kingwood, WV
Oct 19th - Big 10 Conference XC Championships at Kingwood, WV
Oct 24th - AA-A Region II Championship at Grafton, WV
Nov 2nd – West Virginia State Cross Country Championships at Ona, WV
Final Thought:
Allison Villers is the #1 returner from last year’s West Virginia High School AA/A Girls Cross Country State Championship but is the pre-season #2 ranked runner. Kelsey Chambers of Oak Glen High School is the pre-season #1, even though she was injured about 1.8 miles into the state race and had to drop out. Chambers has the fastest time of all returners from the 2012 cross country season for AA/A girls with a clocking of 19:19, while Villers was second in 19:43, then followed by Marissa Long in 19:55.
Villers ended up finishing in the top five to make All-State First Team at last year’s West Virginia State XC Meet, which helped the Colts girls cross country team win a third State Championship in a row. I look for Villers to be pushed by teammate Marissa Long, the Class AA/A #3 individual ranked girl runner, for their goal is to win their fourth straight state championship. Villers and her teammates are looking to keep the streak alive as long as they can stay healthy, so watch for a very competitive race at this year’s AA/A girl’s State XC Meet!
Girls to watch: Kylie Rutherford of Wayne HS, Julianna Butcher of Frankfort HS and Hailey Miller of Ravenswood HS. These three girls are looking to challenge for the top three spots.
Can Allison Villers help lead her team to a fourth straight title? Will Allison Villers and teammate Marissa Long help each other to outrun #1 ranked Kelsey Chambers in the upcoming state meet?