The All-Around Athlete
Emily Godwin in the starting blocks - Cardinal Photography
One of the most successful and all-around female prep track & field athletes in West Virginia of all time, Buckhannon-Upshur’s Emily Godwin continues to build upon her success. This season Godwin has already competed in eleven meets; winning gold 39 out of 44 events. Godwin is a very special talent and would be considered by many to be the best overall female athlete in all West Virginia Track & Field. Godwin is currently ranked US#8 for indoors and US#7 for outdoors in the high jump. Godwin is currently ranked in the top 3 in the state in seven events: 100m dash (2nd), 800m run (3rd), 100m high hurdles (1st), 300m low hurdles (1st), high jump (1st), long jump (1st), and the 4x102.5m shuttle hurdles (1st). Track season is heating up; Godwin talks with us about her training, her goals for the rest of the season, her accomplishments, and much more.
An Interview with Emily Godwin
By Mike McMillion
M: Where were you born?
Goodwin: I was born in Radford, Virginia.
M: At what age did you start running?
Godwin: I started running competitively in 6th grade in Middle School.
M: What sparked your interest in running?
Godwin: Being the youngest in my family I was influenced by my older siblings in many ways, but one was participating in track. In the spring of my 6th grade year I decided to try track because my brother and sister both participated in this sport. My sister was the one who really influenced me because she took up running and training as a hobby, so I just followed her lead as I got older. It became a passion for me and as I saw runners excel such as my sister and Chelsea Carrier, it made me want to push myself and be the best I could be.
M: What do you love most about track & field?
Godwin: I like a lot of things about track, but what I love most is beating your personal record. It is a reminder that all your hard work and training is for something and being able to watch all the tough workouts pay off in the end is a great feeling. It also pertains to everyone. Every runner, thrower, and jumper has a time, mark, or height that they are striving to beat. It gives an individual the drive to become better and to watch how you progress throughout your career. I go into every meet I participate in wanting to beat my PR and improve my performance.
M: Did you ever play any other sports? If so, what sports?
Godwin: I play soccer for our high school. My freshman year, I played basketball but I decided to take the winter off and play indoor soccer and train for track.
M: At what age did you start to have success at track & field?
Godwin: As I have stated before, I did participate in track during my middle school years. I would say that my 8th grade year is when I started to have success.
M: What event did you excel most at?
Godwin: In 8th grade, the events I excelled most at were high jump, the 400, and 200 meter hurdles.
M: How many meets do you run during a high school track season?
Godwin: At the end of this season we will have competed in 15 meets including Conference, Regionals, and States.
M: You've already had quite a few races this season? What is the reason behind setting up this kind of schedule?
Godwin: This question may be better answered by my Coach.
M: What does a typical week in training look like? How do you train since you run so many meets?
Godwin: Our training schedule really depends on what days we have meets that week. Again, this might be better answered by my Coach as well.
M: What are your goals heading into the rest of the track season?
Godwin: For the weeks we have left, I keep striving to beat my personal record. As a team, our goal is to win States.
M: What is your favorite track & field event?
Godwin: I don't know if I have one favorite event. I really like the variety and aspects that each event has. For field events, I would have to say high jump because I am the most comfortable and knowledgeable with that event. As for running, it would probably be a tie between the 100 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.
Godwin clearing the high jump bar in her favorite field event - Photo by Diane Godwin
M: Is there an athlete who inspires you?
Godwin: There is an athlete that grew up in the same town as me and is now running for WVU. She has accomplished many high level achievements and always stays very humble. Watching her compete in high school, seeing her name all over the record board, and hearing all of her success at the collegiate level is truly inspiring for any athlete. For me, she is a role model. She is someone that I strive to be like. Her attitude and athletic ability have carried her very far and I hope someday I can say I was half as good as she was. This athlete is Chelsea Carrier.
I'm also inspired and thankful for the blessings God has given to me. Every day I want to strive to be the best I can be in all things to give him the glory.
M: What has been your greatest accomplishment up to this point in your high school career?
Godwin: My greatest accomplishment is contributing to the 2010 and 2011 AAA Girl's Track and Field State Titles.
Godwin with State Championship Trophy - Photo by Diane Godwin
M: With one more year left in high school, what expectations or goals do you have for yourself going into your senior season and beyond?
Godwin: Every year I want to be better than the last. I want to come in and perform better than I did at that point in the season last year. Hopefully by next year, I will already have decided on what college I will be attending in the fall of 2013, and as of right now I am hoping to compete at the collegiate level.
Godwin at the 2011 WV State Championship - photo by Lance McDaniel
M: Do you see yourself ever participating in the Olympics?
Godwin: I think almost every athlete at one point in time sees herself or himself competing at the Olympics. I think that would be an amazing experience and opportunity to compete, but getting there is very difficult. It takes a lot of training and dedication to compete with such elite athletes. It is a far-fetched goal, but hopefully in the future it will be more obtainable.
M: What is your favorite quote?
Godwin: "Good players practice till they get it right, great players practice till they never get it wrong."
M: Emily, I want to thank you for the great interview. On behalf of WV Runners, we would like to wish you continued success. You are a true example of how much one individual can do if she dedicates herself to a task. You are truly inspiring, and your achievements have been incredible. I hope you achieve your dreams and goals. Thanks again!
If there is something to be learned from Emily Godwin, it is that her success is dependent upon her faith, discipline, effort, skill, teamwork, and humbleness. I’m willing to bet that Emily Godwin is on many College Recruiters radar!!!
Emily Godwin is coached by Jackie Zuliani who has received coach of the year honors.
Emily Godwin’s 2012 Track Season – Meet Performance List:
03-17-2012
Emily ran a 58.81 in the 400m at HCSM First Call Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a 15.25 in the 100H at HCSM First Call Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a 46.90 in the 300H at HCSM First Call Invitational, placing first.
Emily went 5-6 in the High Jump at HCSM First Call Invitational, placing first.
03-20-2012
Emily ran a 15.04 in the 100H at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet I, placing first.
Emily went 17-10 in the Long Jump at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet I, placing first.
Emily ran a PR of 58.63 in the 400m at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet I, placing first.
Emily ran the 4 x 400m relay at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet I, placing first.
03-23-2012
Emily ran a 59.17 in the 400m at Kim Nutter/Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Classic, placing first.
Emily ran a 2:25.20 in the 800m at Kim Nutter/Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Classic, placing first.
Emily went 5-6 in the High Jump at Kim Nutter/Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Classic, placing first.
Emily went 17-11.75 in the Long Jump at Kim Nutter/Camden Clark Memorial Hospital Classic, placing first.
03-27-2012
Emily ran a 15.35 in the 100H at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet II, placing first.
Emily ran a new season best time of 45.26 in the 300H at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet II, placing first.
Emily got a new season best of 5-9 in the High Jump at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet II, placing first.
Emily ran the 4 x 100m relay at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet II, placing first.
03-30-2012
Emily ran a 59.78 in the 400m at Erickson All-Sports Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a 2:21.21 in the 800m at Erickson All-Sports Invitational, placing first.
Emily went 5-6 in the High Jump at Erickson All-Sports Invitational, placing first.
Emily went 16-11 in the Long Jump at Erickson All-Sports Invitational, placing first.
04-03-2012
Emily ran a 59.79 in the 400m at Bridgeport Home Meet I, placing first.
Emily ran a 2:28.17 in the 800m at Bridgeport Home Meet I, placing second.
Emily ran a 15.46 in the 100H at Bridgeport Home Meet I, placing first.
Emily ran the 4 x 100m relay at Bridgeport Home Meet I, placing second.
04-05-2012
Emily ran a 59.69 in the 400m at Teays Physical Therapy Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a 15.15 in the 100H at Teays Physical Therapy Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a PR of 2:20.89 in the 800m at Teays Physical Therapy Invitational, placing second.
Emily got a PR of 18-4 in the Long Jump at Teays Physical Therapy Invitational, placing first.
04-10-2012
Emily ran a new season best time of 26.28 in the 200m at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet III, placing first.
Emily ran a 14.90 in the 100H at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet III, placing first.
Emily ran a 45.80 in the 300H at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet III, placing first.
Emily ran a PR of 12.30 in the 100m at Buckhannon-Upshur Track Meet III, placing first.
04-13-2012
Emily ran a 58.98 in the 400m at Capital City Classic, placing first.
Emily ran a new season best time of 14.81 in the 100H at Capital City Classic, placing first.
Emily went 5-6 in the High Jump at Capital City Classic, placing first.
Emily went 18-0.75 in the Long Jump at Capital City Classic, placing first.
04-17-2012
Emily ran a 12.83 in the 100m at Larry Conaway Memorial Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a 26.79 in the 200m at Larry Conaway Memorial Invitational, placing first.
Emily went 16-09.75 in the Long Jump at Larry Conaway Memorial Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran the 4x102.5 Meter Shuttle Hurdle 30"at Larry Conaway Memorial Invitational, placing first.
04-21-2012
Emily ran a 26.83 in the 200m at Harry Green State-Wide Invitational, placing first.
Emily ran a 59.26 in the 400m at Harry Green State-Wide Invitational, placing second.
Emily ran a 15.73 in the 100H at Harry Green State-Wide Invitational, placing second.
Emily went 18-2.5 in the Long Jump at Harry Green State-Wide Invitational, placing first.
Personal Bests:
100 Meter Hurdles - 14.77
100 Meter Dash - 12.30
200 Meter Dash - 26.18
300 Meter Hurdles - 44.23
400 Meter Dash - 58.63
55 Meter Hurdles - 9.11
60 Meter Hurdles - 9.66
800 Meter Run - 2:20.89
Discus - 95-6
Heptathlon - 4474
High Jump - 5-10
Javelin - 64-11.5
Long Jump - 18-4
Shot Put - 29-9.5